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Tony Knowles Coastal Trail |
ACE's View
ACE supports a mostly-coastal, mostly-natural route with a minimum of "at-grade" street crossings. We recognize that the all-coastal "Orange" route simply isn't feasible- both because it poses unacceptable risk to the Coastal Refuge, and because it would most certainly be challenged in court by a group of South Anchorage residents who have vowed to fight the trail by any means. We also recognize that the "Orange Modified" route doesn't do enough to avoid impacts to wildlife, and poses to many impacts to private property. Yellow, Red, and the other inland routes simply aren't natural enough. The Fuchsia route most closely meets the needs of differing interests, but it's not workable in current form. It avoids the most sensitive area of the Refuge, between John's Park and Bayshore Creek, but probably goes too far inland in the process. It also goes up through the Sand Lake gravel pits near West Dimond Boulevard, and that segment should likely be back down on the coast.
Current Issues
Written Comments are Weighted the Same as Testimony!
In light of the poor showing of support for the coastal trail extension at the public hearing we want to make it very clear that written comments are weighed the same as testimony that was taken at the public hearing.
Written comments must be submitted on or before March 27, 2006
South Coastal Trail Comment
c/o 2525 C Street, Suite 305
Anchorage, AK 99503
Or send email:
To: southtrailcomment@hdrinc.com
cc: tim.haugh@fhwa.dot.gov
Why Participation Matters: Testimony at Coastal Trail Hearing Does not Reflect the Will of the Community
Both public hearing sessions started off yesterday with a mix of those who favor the extension and those opposed, but the majority of those who testified were against the extension by the end of the day. During the second hearing, those opposing the trail came out strong, and after two hours, just about all testimony was in opposition. In the end, 156 people testified.
While the trail extension may be popular throughout the community, the opposition has made it a goal to participate in the public process to prevent the completion of what could be one of the nation’s most impressive urban trails. Without participation by those who see the social and economic benefits of this trail, this historic opportunity could be lost. ACE will keep you posted on the staus of the project and how you can still help to complete the coastal trail.
Public Hearing to be held March 1:
Support Our World-Class Trail System
Our city’s trail system is one of the most prized and well-used resources. It attracts businesses to Anchorage by creating a unique and desirable environment to work, live and recreate. The final impact statement for the Coastal Trail extension includes a new route and a lower price tag.
Unfortunately, the Coastal Trail extension is in jeopardy, and the upcoming public hearing is your chance to voice your support for what could be one of the nation's most incredible urban trails.The important thing is to demonstrate public support for a workable trail; our elected officials need to get the message loud and clear before we lose a historic opportunity forever.
YOUR ATTENDANCE IS NEEDED TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR THIS WORLD-CLASS TRAIL!
Event: Public Hearing on the Southern Extension of the Coastal Trail
When: Wednesday, March 1
Open House - 11am-12pm / Public Hearing 12pm-3pm
Open House - 4:30pm-6pm / Public Hearing 6pm-10pm
Where: Egan Convention Center, 555 W. 5th Ave., downtown Anchorage, lower level.
Coastal Trail Extension Talking Points
Economic Benefits
- Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau states: "trails equate to dollars for Anchorage. Without trails, Anchorage could not host many of the events that bring dollars into our community."
- Tourism would be stimulated. A longer coastal trail would provide an unparalleled experience that would draw more tourists for longer stays. Tourist dollars have extensive impacts throughout the community in the form of hotel, restaurant, retail, transportation and service industry expenditures.
- Property values of homes near the trail would increase adding to the city's tax base.
- Attract business to Anchorage by creating a unique and desirable environment to work and live.
Cost of the Trail
- The cost of the trail as presently proposed is $26.5 million (figure includes property acquisition) with 90% of the funding coming from the Federal Highway Department.
- By law these Federal Highway Department dollars are only for trails and enhancements; therefore it does not take funding from roads, education or social services.
- The remaining 10% or $2.65 million will come from municipal, state or private funds.
- Phased construction will maintain availability of funds for unrelated smaller trail projects.
Impact on Private Property / Habitat
- Owners will be financially compensated for any land taken where the trail crosses private property. All properties will be purchased at fair market value.
- The residential property owners who objected to the trail on their property are now unaffected by the trail due to the passage of the Eminent Domain ordinance (Assembly Member Chris Birch).
Anchorage Daily News - Published: January 11, 2006
The Anchorage Assembly on Tuesday night ruled out the possibility of claiming private land for any future extension of the city's Coastal Trail.
"It goes a long way toward protecting private property rights in our community," Assembly Member Chris Birch said.
- In the latest version, some 98 privately owned lots would be affected, that's down from 122 in the route released in September and from 179 in the 2002 route. Less than 70 of these lots are residential lots and many of these residential landowners, as well as the commercial landowners, favor the trail.
- The Mayor is concerned about the impacts to home owners and is actively looking at all options to work with property owners.
- The trail as presently proposed reduces habitat issues by running 60% coastal rather than 80%
"Quality of Life" Benefits
- Provide public access to one of Anchorage's more stunning stretches of coastline.
- The Coastal trail is part nature walk, part exercise track and part social scene that everyone can afford to use. The extension of the trail presents an opportunity for the widest variety of people: mothers with babies in strollers; kids with bikes; boomers on skis; visiting grandparents with their grandkids; tourists and bird watchers.
- Provide a new trail and access to the coast for southwest Anchorage residents who have few options.
Community Support
- Numerous polls and surveys show an overwhelming majority of Anchorage citizens in support of trails and extending the Coastal trail.
South Coastal Trail Plan Released
The Southern extension of the Coastal Trail has been on the city trails plan since the early 80's and many of Anchorage residents want it. ACE supports the extension, with a mostly natural, mostly coastal route. It's a visionary project that will benefit the entire community for generations. We want the trail to minimize impacts to private property and to avoid impacts to the most sensitive areas of the coastal refuge, which we believe, is possible through the route selection and design process.
The final impact statement for the Coastal Trail extension, released this week, includes a new route and a lower price tag. The important thing is to demonstrate public support for a workable trail. Our elected officials need to get the message, loud and clear before we lose an historic opportunity forever.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
- View the impact statement - Also available at city libraries and the municipal clerk's office.
- View the Maps
- Attend the public briefings and hearings - Scheduled for the afternoon and evening of March 1. The hearing will be at the Egan Convention Center, 555 W. 5th Ave., downtown Anchorage, lower level.
- Open House: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm and 4:30 - 6:00 pm
- Public Hearings:12:00 pm - 3:00 pm and 6:00 - 10:00 pm
- Write a letter to the editor:
- Review the Project Website
- Read the ADN Article: Final Coastal Trail plan released
Background
The Southern Extension of the Coastal Trail is in jeopardy. The project has been on city trails plans since the early 80's, federal money is available to build it, and a strong majority of Anchorage residents want it. The completed trail, from downtown to Potter Weigh Station, and eventually all the way to Girdwood, would be a world-class attraction and a major addition to our quality of life in Alaska's biggest city.
Unfortunately, Former Mayor George Wuerch and Governor Murkowski have brought the project to a standstill. George Wuerch de-prioritized the needed federal funding for the trail and campaigned against the trail during the last election. Governor Murkowski has not expressed support for the trail, and he has extended a recent comment period twice leading many to speculate that he opposes the project outright and may be working quietly to table it indefinitely.
This lack of leadership from politicians would be challenging enough for any major trail project. However, this trail has been controversial due the difficulty of routing between the neighborhoods on the bluff and the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge below the bluff. The "Orange Modified" route that was proposed by the project team has drawn opposition from homeowners and Coastal Refuge defenders alike. Modification, consultation, and negotiation are still needed to garner widespread support for a final trail proposal. Therefore, it still isn't practical to pick a rigid route preference from the rainbow of color-coded alternatives put forth by the project team.
The important thing now, though, is simply to demonstrate public support for a workable trail. Our elected officials need to get the message, loud and clear, and get to work fine-tuning the two or three alternatives that can succeed. Once again, the people need to lead so that the leaders will follow- before we lose an historic opportunity forever.
More Information
South Coastal Trail Extension at a Glance (PDF Format)
Press Release (PDF Format)
For more information on the South Extension of the Coastal Trail Project, visit the project website at http://home.gci.net/~southtrail. |
