Anchorage Assembly consent agenda carries $1.57M more for West 32nd Avenue rebuild

The Anchorage Assembly will consider an amendment Tuesday, Oct. 6, that would commit the city to about $1.57 million more to rebuild West 32nd Avenue from Lois Drive to Minnesota Drive. Most of that money depends on road bonds voters have not yet approved.

The amendment would change the city's agreement with the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. It would raise the Municipality's total match to about $1.75 million, according to the Assembly memorandum. The city has paid $176,085 so far. That money covered design work through the project's environmental review document. The administration recommends approval.

The memo draws the new money from Anchorage Roads and Drainage Service Area bonds. The 2025 and 2026 bonds supply $65,000 and $70,450. The 2027 bond would add $135,450. The 2028 bond would add nearly $1.3 million. The memo marks both later amounts "Subject to Voter Approval and Appropriation."

The city pays 9.03% of each phase and its contingency. The memo estimates construction and utility work at $12.5 million in federal fiscal year 2028.

The draft 2052 metropolitan transportation plan lists a new road base, storm drains with curb and gutter, pedestrian facilities and upgraded street lighting. An early 2024 quarterly update from AMATS, Anchorage's metropolitan transportation planning program, said design was on hold because of an issue with the Municipality's match. A later update through December 2025 said preliminary design was underway and the team had met with Aquarian Charter School.

Project manager Tanya Hong prepared the memo. It calls the budget an estimate only. Another amendment may be needed if costs climb. If the final cost comes in lower, the city's excess contribution will be refunded.