Proposition 5
PROPOSITION 5 - ANCHORAGE BOWL PARKS AND RECREATION SERVICE AREA CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BONDS ($3,000,000)
To improve parks and trails, upgrade and improve football stadium concession and neighborhood parks and family recreation areas and recreation facilities, including the South Anchorage Sports Complex in the Anchorage Bowl Parks and Recreation Service Area and related capital improvements as provided in Ordinance No. AO 2011-11, shall Anchorage borrow money and issue up to $3,000,000 in principal amount of general obligation bonds and increase the municipal tax cap by an annual amount not to exceed $304,000 to pay for associated annual operations and maintenance costs.
Voter approval of this bond proposition authorizes for each $100,000 of assessed taxable property value (based on the estimated total 2011 assessed valuation in the Anchorage Bowl Parks and Recreation Service Area): (i) an annual increase in taxes of $.88 to retire the proposed bonds, and (ii) an annual increase in the municipal tax cap (Charter 14.03(b)(2)) of approximately $1.12 to pay for annual operation and maintenance costs related to the proposed capital improvements.
The debt shall be first paid from real and personal property taxes levied and collected within the Anchorage Bowl Parks and Recreation Service Area, without cost to properties in Chugiak, Eagle River, Girdwood, and other areas outside the Service Area. Anchorage will also pledge its full faith and credit for payment of the bonds.
Anchorage Neighborhood Parks ($500,000)
In the Fall of 2008, the Parks and Recreation Department Implemented the Anchorage Neighborhood Park Report Card project where over 100 community volunteers evaluated their neighborhood parks and created comprehensive “Fix It Lists” for repairs. Bond funding will continue a multi-year funding strategy that rehabilitates all neighborhood parks within a 6 year cycle. The results will be a regular maintenance cycle for neighborhood parks, eliminating deferred maintenance and unsafe conditions. Bond Funding will leverage $500,000 in State and private grants from the Anchorage Park Foundation.
Area-wide Greenbelt Trails ($1,000,000)
Bond funds will be combined with State and private dollars to implement a multi-year, comprehensive repair program addressing safety and security concerns on the greenbelt trail system (over 250 miles). Proposed project elements include rehabilitation of existing trail bridges, asphalt patching and resurfacing, a comprehensive lighting assessment and trail amenity upgrades in the following locations: Far North Bicentennial Park Multi-Use Trails, Rover’s Run, Tour of Anchorage Bridge and Trail Rehabilitation, Coastal Trail Rehabilitation and Ruth Arcand Multi-Use Trails.
- Tour of Anchorage Bridge Replacement: Design, Engineering & Permitting: $100,000
- Greenbelt Trail Lighting: Condition Assessment for Energy Retrofit: $100,000
- Rover’s Run Trail Re-route (Mellen’s Way): $75,000
- Ruth Arcand Equestrian Trail Rehabilitation: $25,000
- Coastal Trail Surface Rehabilitation (Earthquake - Kincaid Park) $500,000
- Trail Bridge Rehabilitation: Russian Jack, Coastal Trail $200,000
Anchorage Football Stadium Concession, Locker Room & Facility Upgrade ($1,000,000)
The existing locker room facility and concession building at the Anchorage Football Stadium have been closed due to serious structural and seismic deficiencies. Bond funds would be combined with state funds to replace the building to provide improved locker room facilities for athletes and the public, opportunities for revenue generating concessions, and a security control entrance. In addition, the artificial turf field had reached its life span and will be replaced along with upgrades and improvements to the perimeter electrical system. The project is supported by the Anchorage School District Soccer Federation and Anchorage’s Boys and Girls Clubs.
South Anchorage Sports Complex ($500,000)
South Anchorage Sport Complex is an underutilized community use park located in South Anchorage south of O’Malley Road, just west of C Street. As the population in South Anchorage continues to grow, so will the demand for closer-to-home recreational opportunities for children and adults. In addition to the existing uses (ball fields (3)), off leash dog area,, r/c track and paint ball, potential improvements at South Anchorage Sports park could include: playground, picnic shelter, skate park, BMX track, mountain bike skills park. The opportunities are endless. In combination with state funds, bond funds will be used to identify and construct needed improvements by Anchorage residents.
