Downtown businesses and residents press Assembly for Townsquare Park redesign as parks bond heads to voters

Anchorage business and civic leaders told the Assembly on Jan. 21 that Townsquare Park’s condition is depressing downtown commerce and that a parks bond including a major redesign is needed to restore safety and activate the space.

The Assembly passed AO 2025-10, a parks and recreation bond, unanimously and placed the measure on the April 1 ballot. Supporters and witnesses urged voters to approve the project.

Why it matters: Townsquare Park sits adjacent to the Performing Arts Center and other downtown destinations. Testimony described repeated vandalism, safety incidents and a loss of everyday park activity that once drew shoppers and visitors into downtown Anchorage. Proponents argued a targeted capital investment would reduce operating costs, make the park usable for events and support surrounding businesses.

What people told the Assembly - Mark Begich, former U.S. senator, said Townsquare Park is “the front door” many visitors see and “has to be revitalized.” - Cody Costello, president and CEO of the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts, described theft, vandalism and rising private security and repair bills that have affected performances and the venue’s staff. He told the Assembly the park’s state harms ticket sales and operations. - Radhika Krishna, executive director of the Downtown Partnership, said police calls and vandalism have increased; she urged design changes and more activation, and said the Partnership would coordinate programming to draw more daytime and evening use. - A resident urged the Assembly to protect trees and green space if the redesign moves forward; several speakers said design choices should balance safety, green space and civic uses.

Administration and assembly comments Mayor (recorded during the meeting) and Parks and Recreation staff told the body they support a Townsquare redesign that prioritizes public safety and accessibility, and noted project costs have risen since earlier planning. Assembly members asked for a plan to translate design and safety improvements into programmatic responses — such as summer events, lighting, and maintenance — so improvements are sustained after construction.

Quote "A space that fosters creativity and healthy activities," the Downtown Partnership said of the park’s intended future, adding the group will work on summer activation if voters approve the bond.

Next steps and context AO 2025-10 was placed on the April 1 ballot. If voters approve, Parks and Recreation will move to finalize design and procurement. Assembly members added a package of neighborhood projects to the parks bond; members also asked that lessons learned on Townsquare be applied to future park investments elsewhere in the city.

Ending The parks measure will be one of multiple capital measures Anchorage voters will see April 1; advocates say approval would signal public support for downtown revitalization and neighborhood park improvements.