Residents press city on flooding at Anchorage Way and unsafe school crossings on Martin Luther King Boulevard

During the public‑comment portion of Monday’s City Commission meeting, residents raised two infrastructure and safety concerns for immediate city follow‑up: chronic street flooding on Southwest Anchorage Way and dangerous pedestrian crossings near schools on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Tenth Street.

Dr. Yvette Werta described recurring, severe flooding on Southwest Anchorage Way that she says began after nearby development. She told the commission the outlet is blocked and that several vehicles were lost to floodwater. "We've lost 3 cars at the end of the street because of the flooding," she said, and asked for a city contact to pursue the problem. Acting city staff said they would refer the matter to Public Works and to City Manager’s staff; staff committed to follow up directly with the resident.

Multiple speakers described children who must cross Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Tenth Street to reach schools and said the crossings are unsafe. Rosa Stoudemeyer and Betty Brinkley told commissioners they had witnessed children taking 30 minutes to cross a busy segment and urged installation of crossing signals or a crossing guard. Commissioners and staff acknowledged county and city jurisdictional complexities — the corridor carries county roads — and said it is on an upcoming agenda. City staff told residents they would pursue a response and that Lieutenant Schein (law enforcement) would be contacted; one resident was told she would receive a phone call the next day.

Why it matters: Repeated flooding is causing property damage and safety hazards; unsafe school crossings raise immediate pedestrian safety concerns for children and families. Residents asked for a clear city contact and a timeline for action.

Staff and follow up

Acting city staff acknowledged the Anchorage Way concerns and said Public Works would be notified; the acting city manager said he would speak with staff and follow up. For the school‑crossing concerns staff said the matter is scheduled for discussion at an early March agenda (commissioners referenced an item for the first meeting in March) and that the city will coordinate with county traffic and school officials because the crossing area includes a county road.

Ending

Commissioners and staff told speakers they appreciated their testimony and pledged staff follow up: residents were asked to leave contact details for direct communication, and staff will pursue drainage and pedestrian safety responses and schedule any necessary studies or capital improvements.