Anchorage School District discusses selling Westpark, Abbott Loop and Campbell as a coordinated package

Administrators briefed the Anchorage School District board on a possible coordinated disposition of three properties: Westpark, Abbott Loop and the already-declared-excess Campbell building. Jim, an ASD administrator who led the presentation, said the district bought Westpark with the 2003 GO bond (about 25 acres for $6,250,000 in 2008) and has discussed with the mayor’s office the option of declaring that land excess and returning it to the municipality so the district would receive sale proceeds.

"We purchased about 25 acres in 2008 for 6,250,000," Jim said, explaining why Westpark’s value today could materially exceed its purchase price. He also told the board there is about $4,000,000 remaining from a prior bond that could be used—if the board approves—to demolish Abbott Loop, and that demo timing depends on procurement and potential hazardous‑materials costs. Administrators emphasized that assembly approval and a formal municipal resolution would need to precede any transfer or sale, and that the district would time its board request to coincide with assembly action to preserve the expected proceeds.

Board members sought specifics about the sale and the sequencing of expenditures and transfers. Several members pressed whether the municipality would guarantee returning proceeds or whether the district could be left holding demolition costs; administrators replied the mayor’s team is pursuing an appraisal and that an assembly resolution indicating intent to accept the land and return proceeds would be the appropriate mechanism to tie the transactions together. The board did not take action; administrators said additional joint meetings with the assembly and further memos to the board are planned.