ANCHORAGE, AK – Today, Mayor Dave Bronson shares his farewell message to Anchorage residents and his 2024 transition report.
“Dear Anchorage residents,
It has been an honor and a privilege to serve you as Mayor for the past three years. I offer welcome and congratulations to the incoming administration, and I am happy to pass the baton by preparing the enclosed transition report for the year 2024. In it, you will find a record of achievement, prosperity and city history.
Despite mounting challenges, including taking office in the mist of the coronavirus pandemic, the state of the city is hopeful. With incoming federal dollars bolstering our infrastructure through key projects like the Don Young Port of Alaska Modernization Program and home-grown efforts like revitalizing Anchorage's downtown, Anchorage remains full of potential.
My administration was privileged to play a key role in the city's progress. Prioritizing public safety, investing in our infrastructure, working to secure our energy future, and making a concerted effort to stabilize property taxes are among the pivotal initiatives Anchorage has benefitted from in the last three years.
We prioritized public safety in Anchorage by delivering an historic pay raise to members of the Anchorage Police Department, a move made to recruit and retain the brave men and women who put their lives on the line every day. We brought foot patrols back to downtown and oversaw the implementation of voter-approved body cameras for APD officers, increasing transparency. Additionally, I was honored to appoint Bianca Cross to the role of police chief. She is the first woman to lead the state's largest police force. Her commitment to professionalism, transparency and compassion made her the best candidate for this vitally important role.
We also refinanced the lease of the APD headquarters downtown, supporting the municipality's police force while giving the Anchorage Community Development Authority liquidity for other projects. With the Don Young Port of Alaska Modernization Program well underway, Anchorage is investing in our economic future. A combination of state and federal dollars brought $270 million in grant funding for the longstanding port modernization project. With $200 million of this funding from state dollars, we were able to secure the largest appropriation from the Alaska Legislature in state history. The petroleum and cement terminal has opened, and crews broke ground on the new administration office and the north-end stabilization project. During my tenure, Anchorage had the honor of welcoming US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg to the port to discuss the unique challenges ahead for the modernization project. The federal funding supporting this project is essential not only to Anchorage, but to all Alaska, and we are grateful for the recognition and support.
Importantly, my team worked to rename the port after the late US Representative Don Young. Now officially christened the Don Young Port of Alaska, the port represents hope, economic prosperity and stability for Alaskans –– just as Representative Young did in his lifetime.
I also created and led the Southcentral Mayors' Energy Coalition. In the face of serious energy challenges across the railbelt, including a potential loss of natural gas deliverability during a prolonged cold snap, we saw the need for collaboration among leaders in Southcentral communities. In conjunction with 11 other Southcentral Alaska mayors, the coalition works to identify short- and long-term solutions to our pressing energy needs. As the energy situation in Alaska grows more complex, this coalition will serve as the tip of the spear in recommending policy and advocating for solutions with our state and federal partners.
We placed a big emphasis on providing economic stability. I made a point of introducing budgets that lowered taxes for property owners. In Anchorage's tight housing market, and taking into account record inflation and high interest rates, getting onto the housing ladder is hard enough without increasing taxes that make buying a home even more out-of-reach. As our city grows and evolves, removing barriers to homeownership will continue to be essential to retaining a healthy population and growing economy.
With housing in mind, my administration brought 331 low-income housing units online and signed an amended methane gas agreement that brought 1,100 residential lots to Eagle River. We also worked to get the Holton Hills project approved in Girdwood, improving the availability of housing units across the municipality. Additionally, we protected landlords and small business owners by vetoing the assembly's effort to tax and regulate short-term rentals.
After meeting with Roger Brooks, a tourism and downtown expert, during his visit to Anchorage, we began to act on many of his recommendations to help revitalize our downtown, including a micro-loan program for street murals and the creation of a mushing district. We are looking forward to the forthcoming mushing district arch that will live on 4th Avenue.
I was honored to serve the Municipality of Anchorage over the past three years. Mayor-Elect LaFrance will be the tenth mayor to serve the city-borough of Anchorage and the first woman to be elected to that role. I commend her achievement, and restate my commitment to a smooth, effective transition for the sake of all Anchorage residents.
Sincerely,
Mayor Dave Bronson
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Contact
Veronica Hoxie
Communications Director, Office of the Mayor
Veronica.Hoxie@anchorageak.gov
907-615-1568