Article Date: 8/11/2026

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Today, Mayor Suzanne LaFrance kicked off the demolition of the Big Timber Motel building at 5th Avenue and Unga Street. The long-vacant structure has posed persistent public safety hazards for over a decade. Its removal marks a significant achievement in Mayor LaFrance's ongoing efforts to address dangerous and blighted properties across the Municipality.

Since taking office, Mayor LaFrance's administration has focused on increasing housing across the Municipality, including rehabilitating or removing vacant and abandoned buildings to encourage housing redevelopment and eliminate safety risks.

Municipal Code Abatement officials have worked to address violations at the Big Timber site since 2011. The building was vacated about 10 years ago, and since then, the structure has seen repeated code violations, improper security, and uncompleted safety repairs — ultimately becoming a severe public nuisance that consumed vital emergency response and municipal resources.

“Tearing down the Big Timber is a huge win for nearby neighborhoods," said Mayor Suzanne LaFrance. “Not only was this building unsafe, but it was a community concern and a strain on our first responders for years. Demolition of the building protects the surrounding neighborhoods, preserves municipal resources, and prepares a utility-ready lot for future redevelopment."

The Big Timber demolition is part of a broader push by the LaFrance administration's Code Abatement team to hold negligent property owners accountable and remove structures far past the point of viable repair. While the Municipality is paying the upfront costs of the demolition, a lien will be placed on the property to recoup the full amount of the cost and restore funds to taxpayers.

When working with vacant and abandoned properties, Code Abatement often finds structures are not secured properly, poorly maintained, or are neglected completely, creating hazards for surrounding businesses and neighbors. These buildings often attract dangerous behavior and occupants, leading to further decay, fires, and frequent calls for emergency response. Many municipal resources can be used in one location in an attempt to keep people safe and prevent further damage or criminal activity.

To help Code Abatement monitor potentially problematic sites, the Municipality requires property owners to register unoccupied properties on the Vacant and Abandoned Registry and to secure the properties from unwanted entry.

After an initial allocation from the Anchorage Assembly into the Municipality's nuisance property abatement fund, Code Abatement demolished 10 high-nuisance structures in 2024. In 2025, the Municipality focused heavily on legal enforcement against severe nuisance property owners—establishing legal pathways to streamline future enforcement and recover costs. Building on that momentum, the Municipality removed a nuisance property on Kona Lane earlier this year and is slated to demolish four more properties in 2026, in addition to the Big Timber Motel.

By removing structural hazards in their entirety, the Municipality aims to protect surrounding neighbors, safeguard first responders, and open up utility-served infill parcels to support economic revitalization and redevelopment.

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​Contact: Emily Goodykoontz     emily.goodykoontz@anchorageak.gov    1 (907) 205-6683 

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Article Date: 8/3/2026

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The Municipality of Anchorage has successfully sold $179 million in municipal bonds, funding voter-approved community improvements refinancing existing bonds to save local taxpayers $3.8 million

Driven by strong credit ratings and competitive bidding from national investors, the sale secured a low overall interest rate of 3.81% for the Municipality's 20-year capital improvement bonds.

The Municipality sells bonds annually to fund voter-approved capital projects and improvements. Bonds are paid back over time through property taxes.

This year's bond proceeds will fund $117 million in critical capital improvements, including $51 million for voter-approved municipal projects and $66 million for Anchorage School District improvements previously approved by voters. The bond sales will fund capital improvements including roads and drainage infrastructure upgrades, police, fire, and public safety services and facilities, parks, recreation, and public transit enhancements, and repairs and upgrades to Anchorage School District facilities.

Additionally, the Municipality refinanced $66 million in existing bond debt at lower interest rates, saving taxpayers $3.8 million.

“Such a successful bond sale reflects high investor confidence in Anchorage's economic stability and financial management," said Mayor Suzanne LaFrance. “By securing such strong rates, we are delivering on voter-approved projects while keeping costs as low as possible for our taxpayers."

The bond sale attracted high interest from investors across the market, drawing 10 or more separate competitive bids per bond series. Credit rating agencies reaffirmed Anchorage's strong fiscal standing, maintaining top-tier ratings of “AA-" from Standard & Poor's and “AA" from Fitch Ratings.

The bond sale was further bolstered by Fitch Ratings revising Anchorage's credit outlook from Negative to Stable, while affirming its 'AA' rating. Rating analysts pointed to several key factors behind the upgrade, including Anchorage's strength as Alaska's economic hub, local income levels above the national average, and long-term municipal debt levels that remain well within what the Municipality can safely afford. Additionally, Fitch highlighted Anchorage's disciplined fiscal management supporting ongoing stability, strong cash reserve policies, and significant replenishment in reserves following Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reimbursements.

“Investors aggressively bid on these bonds because Anchorage remains a highly rated, stable credit name," said Chief Fiscal Officer Lance Wilber. “We are very pleased with the market's response, which directly benefits our local taxpayers, and with the continued recognition by the rating agencies of the Municipality's credit worthiness, as well as the stable underlying economy in Anchorage. We're thankful to JP Morgan Securities and Bank of America Securities for providing the Municipality's taxpayers with a very low cost of funds."

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Contact: Emily Goodykoontz     emily.goodykoontz@anchorageak.gov    1 (907) 205-6683 

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SubTitle: Leaders stress need to protect reliable, affordable energy for Southcentral Alaska families, businesses, and public services and warn of decreasing supply and rising costs.

Article Date: 7/28/2026

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ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Mayor Suzanne LaFrance today joined Matanuska-Susitna Borough Mayor Edna DeVries, ENSTAR Natural Gas Company President John Sims, and Matanuska Electric Association CEO Tony Izzo to address the growing threat posed by declining Cook Inlet natural gas supplies, rising energy costs and the need for a reliable long-term energy solution for Alaska.

During a joint press conference at Anchorage City Hall, the leaders emphasized that the issue is no longer distant or theoretical. The availability and cost of natural gas affect home heating, electric generation, municipal operations, businesses and essential public services throughout Southcentral Alaska and the Railbelt.

The group urged state leaders to act with urgency during the current special session to advance a durable, affordable long-term energy solution for Alaskans.

“Anchorage residents, businesses and public services depend on reliable, affordable energy. The declining supply of Cook Inlet natural gas and rising costs are a direct concern for our community, particularly as we prepare for the winter months," said Mayor Suzanne LaFrance. “We are working with our utility and municipal partners to prepare for near-term risks, but Alaska also needs decisive action on Alaska LNG and other long-term solutions to protect our residents and support our economy."

“There is one project that will reduce the price of energy in the next ten years. That is the Alaska LNG project. There are no other options that we can have that will have the potential to reduce the price of energy. We have to have the ability to look down the highway, as opposed to the stop signs directly in front of us. That has been Alaska's problem for far too long," said ENSTAR Natural Gas Company President John Sims.

“Alaska LNG represents to our Borough citizens as well as the whole State of Alaska – an opportunity to strengthen Alaska's economy, improve energy security, create jobs and investment for future generations," said Matanuska-Susitna Borough Mayor Edna DeVries.

“Despite living in one of the most energy-rich states in the country, Alaskans have faced decades of unnecessary energy uncertainty. The result is higher energy costs and increasing risks to the reliability of our energy supply," said Matanuska Electric Association CEO Tony Izzo. “Now is the time for leaders to break this cycle and move beyond short-term decisions to take clear, decisive action to build a stronger future for Alaska."

The leaders agreed that Alaska must address immediate reliability concerns while moving forward with a long-term solution that provides dependable energy, protects consumers from escalating costs and supports economic growth for future generations.

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Contact: Emily Goodykoontz     emily.goodykoontz@anchorageak.gov    1 (907) 205-6683 

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Article Date: 7/22/2026

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Today, the Municipality of Anchorage released new permitting data showing that Mayor Suzanne LaFrance's 10,000 Homes in 10 Years strategy is driving significant momentum, putting local residential construction on track to surpass last year.

Just past the midway point of 2026, the Municipality has already issued building permits for more residential units than in all of 2024, backed by a $75 million surge in local construction activity and a reduction in permit review times.

At 330 housing units permitted for construction so far this year, Anchorage has reached 82% of its total permit volume for 2025. Additionally, permit valuations have already outpaced last year's levels—hitting 118% of 2025's valuation and representing an additional $75 million committed to the Anchorage economy compared to last year's record-setting pace. Permit valuations are an indicator of economic health. Larger values signal robust future growth and real dollars being invested directly into local neighborhoods.

"While there's still more work to do, these milestones show that our efforts to cut red tape and open the throttle on housing are working," said Mayor Suzanne LaFrance. "With billions of dollars in investment coming to JBER, we know we need about 2,500 more homes in the next five years to support our military community. To build a strong economy, grow our workforce, and support our neighborhoods, making it easier to build and rehabilitate housing of all types is mission-critical."

The 10,000 Homes strategy calls for both new construction and substantial rehabilitation of aging properties to preserve current housing stock. Last year, Anchorage achieved approximately 70% of its annual progress goal of 1,000 new and rehabbed homes, issuing construction permits for 400 new units alongside at least 300 major home renovations that preserved and modernized existing homes.

A significant portion of this year's newly permitted units consists of multi-family housing, such as apartments and condominiums. Many of these units were made possible by the LaFrance administration's new multi-family tax incentive.

To sustain this momentum at the Permit Center, the administration moved quickly earlier this summer to address administrative bottlenecks and relieve pressure.

Through targeted policy directives, staff cross-training, hiring additional plan reviewers, and utilizing temporary contractors, the Municipality has significantly reduced review time turnarounds:

• Residential zoning review periods have been cut in half, dropping from 10 business days to just 5.
• Commercial zoning review periods have been cut by a third, dropping from over 30 business days to 20.

Community members and builders can track real-time progress on residential permits by visiting the Municipality's online housing permit dashboard.

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Contact: Emily Goodykoontz     emily.goodykoontz@anchorageak.gov    1 (907) 205-6683 ​

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Article Date: 7/10/2026

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With the completion of the 2024 comprehensive financial audit last month, Mayor Suzanne LaFrance announced today that her administration has fully restored the Municipality's bond rating reserve and emergency fund—replenishing critical savings that had been depleted since 2018.

Replenishing the “rainy day" fund stabilizes the Muni's financial outlook and helps protect taxpayer dollars. Financial rating agencies expect the Municipality to maintain 10% of its annual “major fund" operating expenses in a reserve fund—about $52 million—with an additional 2% set aside in a "rainy day" fund for immediate emergencies. Robust cash reserves signal strong financial health to credit rating agencies, which helps secure lower interest rates and saves taxpayers money on public borrowing costs.

The Municipality uses bonds as a tool to finance major infrastructure projects, such as road, drainage and building repairs and parks and trails improvements.

Anchorage's reserves had fallen below these target levels due to a combination of emergency-related impacts: capital costs from the 2018 earthquake and delayed federal disaster reimbursements, pandemic-related expenses and revenue declines. While federal reimbursements for the COVID-19 pandemic are now largely complete, the reimbursement process for the 2018 earthquake remains ongoing.

The previous dip in reserves contributed to minor credit downgrades in recent years, though municipal bond sales have remained strong. Having a complete financial picture is also important to rating agencies and potential investors. Finishing delayed annual audits and fully restoring these reserve accounts puts Anchorage back on firm financial footing.

"By closing the books and clearing the backlog, we were able to safely replenish our rainy-day reserves, putting us in a stronger financial position for the future," said Mayor Suzanne LaFrance. “When I took office, the Municipality was more than a year behind on its annual audits, and we lacked a clear picture of our finances. Today, we've delivered the fiscal stability, transparency and good government that Anchorage residents deserve."

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Contact: Emily Goodykoontz     emily.goodykoontz@anchorageak.gov    1 (907) 205-6683 

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Article Date: 7/7/2026

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Today, Mayor Suzanne LaFrance announced the Port of Alaska will receive a cash settlement of $180 million for the longstanding MARAD lawsuit. The agreement preserves the $11.3 million already awarded in 2024 but not yet paid, bringing the total recovery to $191.3 million. The funds will go directly toward construction costs for the Port Modernization Program.

“Securing these funds for the Port of Alaska means we are able to reduce the costs of goods for all Alaskans," said Mayor LaFrance. “This lawsuit has been ongoing since 2014, and I am thrilled to finally have it settled. I want to thank Senator Sullivan, Governor Dunleavy, and all the municipal employees who have worked on this over the years."

In addition to the settlement, Mayor LaFrance has already secured a $15 million capital grant from the State of Alaska this year—with a potential for an additional $10 million by the end of the year. Under the LaFrance administration, the Municipality has sought federal grant opportunities, securing an additional $61.5 million. Combined with the lawsuit settlement, these state and federal funds bring the total outside investment secured for the Port Modernization Program during the LaFrance administration to nearly $277.8 million.

“Today's settlement is an exciting development for Alaskans, for our incredible workers, for the Municipality of Anchorage, and for the future of our great state," said Senator Dan Sullivan. “This settlement has been a team effort over many years—mayors, assembly members, state legislators and officials, our congressional delegation, and the hard-working Alaskans who do great work on the port every day. I want to thank Attorney General Blanche for coming up to our state for this announcement and MARAD Administrator Carmel for his recent visit as well. The Port of Alaska is the single most important piece of infrastructure in our state and a critical strategic seaport for our country and military. Its importance will only grow with the historic $7 billion 'Fighter Town' recapitalization of JBER. This settlement will unlock $191 million to go directly toward construction and modernization of the Port, building on the hundreds of millions of federal dollars my congressional delegation colleagues and I have secured for the project over the years. This funding will keep our great Alaskan workers on the job building out this project, help lower the high cost of living for Alaska's families, and ensure the Port continues to serve the needs of Alaskans and our national security for decades to come."

Every federal or state dollar secured for the port reduces the total amount that must be raised through future shipping surcharges by about $2.50, meaning these funds will lessen the future impact on Alaskans by as much as $694 million.

The Don Young Port of Alaska handles goods that reach 90% of Alaskans and has been designated U.S Commercial Strategic Seaport by the Department of Defense. The Port also supplies fuel for Alaska's airports and military bases. Currently, construction is underway on the first of two new cargo terminals.

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Contact: Emily Goodykoontz     emily.goodykoontz@anchorageak.gov    1 (907) 205-6683 

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SubTitle: AWARN provides complete radio coverage, interoperability among city, state and federal agencies

Article Date: 7/21/2010

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Anchorage- The Anchorage Fire Department (AFD) is the first of the Municipality of Anchorage’s public safety agencies to transition to the Anchorage Wide Area Radio Network (AWARN).

The new two-way radio system provides fire and medic responders with complete radio coverage and, as other agencies migrate to the system, interoperability among all municipal, state and federal agencies. In this first phase, fire and medic units are able to communicate with each other and the 911 Dispatch Center from many areas in the Anchorage Bowl where radio coverage had been spotty or non-existent.

Construction of the system will continue to include the entire Municipality – from Girdwood to the Knik River and beyond. Once complete, all Municipal agencies, including the Anchorage Police Dept. and the utilities, will utilize this single radio system, replacing several outdated, 1980s systems that do not provide interoperability, have spotty coverage, and are becoming difficult and expensive to maintain.

Federal grants funded 55 percent of the $25 million needed for the system; 18 percent wasfunded by the State of Alaska and the balance was paid through several bonds authorized by Anchorage voters.

AWARN has been recognized by the Federal Department of Homeland Security as utilizing the best practice for radio communication by public safety and disaster agencies of all branches of government. AWARN users have complete interoperability within the Anchorage area with the statewide Alaska Land Mobile Radio System (ALMR) operated by the U.S. Dept. of Defense and the State of Alaska. AWARN construction involved replacing all the equipment at the Municipality's fixed antenna sites, construction of an earthquake-resistant building next to Fire Station 12 (7920 Homer Drive) to house the system controllers, and replacement of vehiclemounted and hand-held portable radios used by all first responders and most other field employees.

For further technical information contact Trygve Erickson of the Municipality's Wireless Communications Division at ericksontj@muni.org or 343-7910.​

Article Date: 6/18/2026

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Today, Anchorage Mayor Suzanne LaFrance announced the recipients of the 2026 Mayor's Arts and Community Grants, as well as the second round of the “Beyond the Beige" grant initiative.

These programs provide essential financial support to local nonprofits and cultural organizations fostering a more vibrant, connected, and resilient Anchorage.

“I am proud to support our local nonprofits and cultural organizations as they work to strengthen our community," said Mayor LaFrance. “Investing in their work is a direct investment in a safer, more vibrant community for everyone who calls Anchorage home."

Expanding access to the arts

For the 2026 Arts Grants, the Mayor prioritized projects that expand public access to arts and culture, specifically those offering free or low-cost programming. This year, 17 organizations were selected to receive funding. Examples of projects include:

• Anchorage Folk Festival: Increasing capacity for free and low-cost workshops and performances.
• Alaska Theatre of Youth: Providing free tickets to school performances for students, teachers, and chaperones.
• Alaska Chinese Association: Upgrading costumes and equipment used for free public performances.

See below for the full list of 2026 Arts Grant recipients.

Supporting community programs

The Community Grants focus on organizations with projects that directly support the Mayor's policy priorities: public safety, housing, and community building. From the pool of applicants, 51 organizations were selected. Highlighted recipients include:

• The Dome: Supporting the Community Health Initiative.
• Rocket Fuel: Providing 3,900 weekend meal bags for food-insecure students.
• Anchorage Project Access: Expanding the “Lifeline to Health" program to connect homeless families with critical health services.
• Data for Indigenous Justice: Hosting community healing events and cultural gatherings.

See below for the full list of 2026 Community Grant recipients.

Revitalizing public spaces with Beyond the Beige

Now in its second year, Beyond the Beige—a partnership between the Municipality and the Anchorage Community Development Authority (ACDA)—will award a total of $100,000 among five community-driven projects aimed at bringing vibrant, engaging public art and color to Anchorage.

Selected projects span the Municipality from downtown to Spenard and Girdwood. This year's installations will transform everyday vehicles into sculptural art, feature large-scale murals celebrating Alaska heritage, and revitalize local infrastructure with bold, bright designs.

“Great public spaces help create great communities," said ACDA Executive Director Mike Robbins. “Beyond the Beige is a powerful example of how strategic partnerships can support local artists, energize neighborhoods, and make Anchorage a more vibrant place to live, work, and visit. ACDA is proud to partner with the Municipality on an initiative that brings creativity, community pride, and investment into public spaces across the Municipality of Anchorage."

“Anchorage is surrounded by some of the most spectacular natural beauty in the world and is home to an incredible creative community, and our urban spaces should reflect that energy," said Mayor LaFrance. “The Beyond the Beige initiative is about transforming our neighborhoods with bold, local artwork and color. These projects will help turn everyday spaces and infrastructure into points of civic pride that brighten our community."

See below for the full list of 2026 Beyond the Beige projects.

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2026 Beyond the Beige grant recipients:

• Anchorage Museum - for the Alaska Art Car & Creative Mobility Showcase sculpture installation.
• Huffman / O'Malley Community Council & Federation of Community Councils Inc. - for Hillside public mural project at O'Malley and Lake Otis.
• Girdwood Art Institute, Four Valleys Community Schools & the Girdwood Lions Club – for Girdwood Community Mural project.
• Cook Inlet Housing Authority – for colorful repainting of commercial building in Spenard
• Anchorage Museum, Seed Lab, Jeff Schultz Photography & Artec Life – for large public mural “Into the Sun" on Solar Building in downtown.

 2026 Mayor's Arts Grants recipients:

• Alaska Black Caucus
• Alaska Chinese Association
• Alaska Eating Disorders Alliance
• Alaska Junior Theater
• Alaska Theatre of Youth
• Alaska Youth Orchestras
• Anchorage Community Theatre Inc
• Anchorage Concert Association
• Anchorage Downtown Partnership Community Services
• Anchorage Folk Festival Inc
• Anchorage International Film Festival
• Anchorage Symphony Orchestra
• Cyrano's Theatre Company
• Drag for a Cause
• HEART INC
• Northern Culture Exchange
• YMCA of Alaska

 2026 Mayor's Community Grant recipients:

• Abused Women's Aid in Crisis (AWAIC)
• Alaska Children's Trust
• Alaska Chinese Association
• Alaska Coalition of BIPOC Educators
• Alaska Community Foundation - Chugach Park Fund
• Alaska Creative Economies
• Alaska Humanities Forum
• Alaska Jewish Campus
• Alaska Mental Health Consumer Web
• Alaska Museum of Science and Nature
• Alaska Native Heritage Center
• Alaskan AIDS Assistance Association
• American Legion Jack Henry Post 1
• Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness
• Anchorage Community Land Trust
• Anchorage Cops for Community
• Anchorage Mushing District Inc
• Anchorage Project Access
• APU Nordic Ski Center
• Armed Services YMCA of Alaska
• Asian Alaskan Cultural Center
• Assets, Inc.
• Beacon Hill
• Bean's Cafe, Inc.
• Bridge Builders of Anchorage
• Camp Fire Alaska
• Catholic Social Services Alaska
• Chugiak Eagle River Chamber of Commerce, Inc
• Data for Indigenous Justice
• Enlaces
• Friends of Boyer's Orchard FOBO
• Girl Scouts of Alaska
• Girls on the Run Southcentral Alaska
• Greater Anchorage Inc. dba Fur Rondy
• Japan Alaska Association
• Juanita Strong Forever Project
• Korean Cultural Center Alaska
• Mutual Aid Network of Anchorage, fiscally sponsored by the Alaska Public Interest Research Group
• Nine Star Education & Employment Services
• Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage
• Northern Alliance Reentry Inc
• Pacific Community of Alaska
• Pasefika Roots Institute of Language and Cultural Arts
• Polynesian Association of Alaska
• Renewable Energy Alaska Project
• Rocket Fuel
• Singletrack Advocates (Alaska)
• Special Olympics Alaska- Anchorage Community
• STAR, INC
• The Dome
• Umoja Coworking & Incubator

Press contact: Emily Goodykoontz     emily.goodykoontz@anchorageak.gov    1 (907) 205-6683 

 

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Article Date: 6/16/2026

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Mayor Suzanne LaFrance is proposing two new property tax incentives to encourage the building of lower-cost homes in the Municipality, promote mixed-use development and improve housing affordability.

The pair of proposed ordinances is part of the Mayor's broader 10,000 Homes in Ten Years strategy.

"For our community to truly thrive, Anchorage families need a housing market where homeownership is actually within reach," said Mayor LaFrance. "These tax incentives address the housing shortage head-on by rewarding the development of lower-cost housing and mixed-use spaces. We are making it easier to build here, and easier to buy here—step by step."

Incentivizing “starter" homes for first-time buyers

As proposed by Mayor LaFrance, AO 2026-89 is designed to encourage the construction of lower-cost “starter" homes while also expanding access to home ownership for first-time buyers.

This ordinance would establish a 10-year property tax break available to first-time homebuyers who purchase a newly constructed home for a sales price that is at or below the average single-family home value in the Municipality. To qualify, a property must be occupied as a primary residence. The tax exemption would apply to the value of the newly constructed residential portion of the property for up to 10 years.

Anchorage is experiencing a significant housing affordability challenge. Home prices rose 40% from 2020 to 2025, and the average assessed value of a single-family home was nearly $500,000 in 2026.

By lowering the cost of homeownership, this proposed tax break would make it easier to sell qualifying homes to first-time buyers—ultimately improving project feasibility for builders and driving the development of more entry-level housing in Anchorage. Reducing property taxes during the first years of home ownership would improve affordability for first-time buyers and help bolster the supply of “starter" homes.

 Promoting mixed-use development

The second proposal from Mayor LaFrance would promote the development and rehabilitation of mixed-use buildings with owner-occupied residences. This ordinance aims to increase the housing supply and encourage the redevelopment of underused commercial properties by providing a tax incentive for adding lower-cost owner-occupied residential units.

The ordinance would create a property tax break for developing four or more residential units in a mixed-use development, such as adding condominiums to the top floor of a building with commercial office spaces below. Buyers who purchase the units for primary residences could receive the tax exemption for 10 years. To qualify, the units must be sold at or below the average assessed single-family home value.

“We need to use every tool at our disposal to drive new development, improve affordability and keep our workforce in Anchorage," said Mayor LaFrance. “As a community, we have vacant office and commercial spaces but a shortage of homes. Converting some of this space to housing just makes sense, but it can be expensive. This tax incentive will help make it happen."

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Contact: Emily Goodykoontz     emily.goodykoontz@anchorageak.gov    1 (907) 205-6683 ​

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