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Borough seeks federal and Denali Commission match funds for separated pathways; Antler Ridge cooperative agreement updated
Summary
Community development staff reported progress on the Antler Ridge cooperative agreement, closed public outreach for two subdivision open houses, and said the borough received a $300,000 Denali Commission award to seed a larger separated‑pathway grant application.
Community development staff told the Denali Borough Assembly on May 14 that multiple transportation and land‑use planning efforts are advancing, including a cooperative agreement for Antler Ridge site design, subdivision outreach and a potential separated‑pathway construction grant.
Community Development Director Stephanie Ford said the borough has an updated cooperative agreement between Federal Highways and the Alaska Department of Natural Resources for Antler Ridge site design. She said staff are refining the Antler Ridge design to remove a connector trail segment and to avoid installing bear‑attracting trash receptacles where staffing for regular collection is not available. Ford said construction is less likely this summer but contracting and engineering work is continuing.
Ford reported that public outreach for two subdivision efforts — the Yannert subdivision and the Stampede subdivision — has concluded or is still open by survey (the Stampede online survey remained open until June 1) and that staff met with Fairbanks North Star Borough planners to compare practices.
On transportation, Ford said the borough applied to the Denali Commission for a surface‑transportation match gap and was awarded $300,000 as seed money. That seed can be combined with a federal Safe Streets for All (Vision Zero) grant application and other match funds to seek construction money for separated pathways in Healy, including bridges over Dry Creek and Dry Creek overflow. She said the construction scale will depend on match availability and that full construction from Suntrana Road to Stampede/Lester Road could cost roughly $5 million (example figure cited by staff), requiring a $1 million match if pursued at that scale.
Ford said the borough plans to work with the Alaska Municipal League and state DOT grant managers to assemble a competitive application that pairs the $300,000 Denali Commission award with other sources of match. She also noted a pending Denali Commission award agreement under negotiation and that staff are coordinating with state DOT for potential state match assistance on right‑of‑way and project delivery.
Ford closed with community events and partner updates and invited assembly members to ask questions about project scope and grant partnerships. The assembly did not take formal funding action on the separated‑pathway construction at the May 14 meeting; staff said they will return with a grant application and award agreement for formal acceptance and appropriation if and when federal or construction grants are awarded.
