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I encourage the adoption of the HOME Title 21 Zoning Code Update. Here’s why:
On March 29, I stood in the sunny common room of the new Block 96 Apartments at 8th Avenue and K Street as Sean and Megan Debenham worked together to build 44 new market-rate housing units. He told an inspiring story of hard work. Special thanks to everyone involved in the project who was willing to share the risk, including the Anchorage Area Development Authority (ACDA), the City of Anchorage, and Anchorage’s local banks.
After the congratulations, I visited with Chris Schutte, former executive director of the Anchorage Downtown Partnership and my former director during the Berkowitz administration. Chris and I had big dreams for what we ultimately called his 2015 “Our Downtown,” the recently adopted downtown plan. To make this region’s dream a reality, we wrote a letter to Smart Growth America (SGA) asking for support in creating a new economic development tool for Anchorage. SGA arrived in May 2016 to facilitate community workshops in collaboration with the Planning Department. The workshop’s recommendations included “focusing efforts” and using city-owned land at his 7th Avenue and I Streets to encourage development. The focus was on “A Few Good Blocks,” an area bounded by 9th and 5th avenues and L to I streets. Mayor Ethan Berkowitz approved the concept and, as they say, we were off to the races.
Elizabeth Place was built at 7th Avenue and I Street. Renovations to the Duke’s Canchi Place followed. Thank you, Cook Inlet Housing Authority. The Alaska Railroad has launched the Rail Townhouse Project. oh!
Next up is Fire Island Bakery. Eleven other new businesses will soon be moving downtown. Mark Begich and partners are renovating the Post Office Mall (blue building) and the Aviator Hotel. His 4th Avenue and his 5th Avenue projects with Peach Investments are another success story of his. The 6th Street garage could soon be renovated by ACDA. Mayor Dave Bronson and the Council, especially Chris Constant and Dr. Daniel Volland, continue to make strides in achieving their vision for “Our Downtown.”
The local government contribution included “Our Downtown: Anchorage Downtown District Plan, 2022,” which includes action items and tools for progress. New Title 21, “Chapter 11: Downtown” (AO 2023-44) removes unnecessary code requirements. It’s now easier and more cost-effective to build. It was my responsibility to complete the planning and code project with a team of experts who use the code every day and inherently understand the problems and strengths of the code.
Our community is in the process of fixing sections of Title 21. This is a project called HOME. Is HOME perfect? It’s hard to say, but it’s a great first step. HOME is a pattern that follows the downtown code. HOME aims to make building easier and more cost-effective. After HOME is adopted, some modifications may be made. After the Downtown code was adopted, modifications had to be made. Why is this important? Just as Downtown’s updated code has helped with major new development downtown, HOME is needed to support new investment in Anchorage.
Returning to Block 96 Flats, the project would not be possible without a willingness to take risks. Investing a combination of family savings and large bank loans is a huge personal risk. Public-private partnerships with ACDA and municipalities have mitigated some of the risks. We need to support those who take risks. They are gradually meeting our dire need for housing. One way to do that is by modifying the Title 21 code.
Chris Schutte and I parted ways on March 29, agreeing that Smart Growth America is truly proud of the progress we have made in “Our Downtown.”
Christine Bunnell He is a former planning manager for the City of Anchorage.
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