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Municipality of Anchorage

Largest local government in Alaska, covering 1,961 square miles from Girdwood to Eklutna. A unified home-rule municipality combining city and borough powers over a population of roughly 290,000.

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Week of Jul 27

The Anchorage Assembly studied how to remove one of its own. It never has.

The Anchorage Assembly studied how to remove one of its own members, a power it has never used and, on a coalition body, likely won't. The member in question sat in on the session.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
Cover image for article: The Anchorage Assembly studied how to remove one of its own. It never has.

Girdwood's park plans would move to Anchorage's standard public review

Girdwood loves its trails and ski runs, and an ordinance up Tuesday would run the town's park plans through the same public review the rest of Anchorage uses.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
Cover image for article: Girdwood's park plans would move to Anchorage's standard public review

Second Eagle River road contract in weeks draws just one bid

An Eagle River brush-disposal contract worth up to $1.16 million drew one bidder, the second sole-bid road contract in the same service area in weeks. The Assembly votes Tuesday.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
Cover image for article: Second Eagle River road contract in weeks draws just one bid

A substitute would swap Martinez's removal for a travel investigation

A substitute before the Anchorage Assembly would drop the effort to remove George Martinez and instead investigate his travel since 2023. Members vote Aug. 4.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
Cover image for article: A substitute would swap Martinez's removal for a travel investigation

A board steering Anchorage's biggest project met nine times. The public heard about one.

A board advising Anchorage's $2.7B port rebuild met nine times and told the public about one — voting on design questions with almost no public notice.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
Cover image for article: A board steering Anchorage's biggest project met nine times. The public heard about one.

Anchorage Assembly weighs new police SUVs and an off-market firehouse sale

The Anchorage Assembly weighs two property calls Aug. 4: $1.88M for 27 new police SUVs, and a no-bid sale of an old Government Hill firehouse to its current tenant.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNewsadded 3mo ago2 min read
Cover image for article: Anchorage Assembly weighs new police SUVs and an off-market firehouse sale

Anchorage clarifies what a records request keeps, and for how long

Anchorage is spelling out what a public records request keeps, logs, request and records, and setting the clock at two years. Short enough to notice, if a request ever gets contested.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
Cover image for article: Anchorage clarifies what a records request keeps, and for how long

Anchorage let $11.8 million skip the books it promised to check

Anchorage could have policed $11.8 million in off-the-books spending starting in early 2024. It waited nearly two years, and none of it showed on the public tracker.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNewsadded 3mo ago2 min read
Cover image for article: Anchorage let $11.8 million skip the books it promised to check

Anchorage takes another run at its missing-middle housing rules

Anchorage takes a second swing at missing-middle housing, letting corridor owners opt into duplexes-to-townhomes. Last year's version stalled on neighborhood pushback.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min readFrom
Cover image for article: Anchorage takes another run at its missing-middle housing rules

UAA wants to pour wine at the gallery opening — under a 'sporting' license

UAA wants to serve beer and wine at its arts venues — under a liquor license category called "sporting activity." The string quartet counts, apparently. Assembly votes Aug. 4.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
Cover image for article: UAA wants to pour wine at the gallery opening — under a 'sporting' license

On Aurora Street, water mains are in but the sewer stops short

A new lot split on Aurora Street marks the edge of Anchorage's grid: water mains are in, public sewer isn't, and getting sewer means paying to extend the main.

Maggie AlaskaNewsby Maggie AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
Cover image for article: On Aurora Street, water mains are in but the sewer stops short

The state says Girdwood's Moose Meadow trails are trespassing

Four beloved Girdwood trails cross onto state airport land, and the state now calls using them trespassing — just as residents push to make them official.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
Cover image for article: The state says Girdwood's Moose Meadow trails are trespassing

South Anchorage rezone would allow industrial use in a residential area

A 3.8-acre South Anchorage lot could be rezoned from homes to heavy industrial. No project's been named yet — and that's what neighbors will want to know. Hearing Aug. 3.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
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Cover image for article: South Anchorage rezone would allow industrial use in a residential area

Anchorage Platting Board to weigh Girdwood plat note removal Aug. 5

Anchorage Platting Board will vote Aug. 5 on removing a vegetation screening requirement from a Girdwood lot, which would free space for multifamily housing at 116 Kami Circle.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNewsadded 3mo ago2 min read
Cover image for article: Anchorage Platting Board to weigh Girdwood plat note removal Aug. 5

Week of Jul 20

Former Anchorage Assembly member Karen Bronga killed in Sterling Highway crash

Former Anchorage Assembly member Karen Bronga passed away in a vehicular accident on July 24

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
Sterling Highway, Alaska
Cover image for article: Former Anchorage Assembly member Karen Bronga killed in Sterling Highway crash

Removing an Assembly member takes 94 days and a supermajority

Anchorage published the map for removing an Assembly member: 94 days, a two-thirds vote, and the city pays the accused member's legal bills either way.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
Cover image for article: Removing an Assembly member takes 94 days and a supermajority

About Municipality of Anchorage

Municipality of Anchorage

Photo by Paxson Woelber, via Flickr · Photo source · CC BY 2.0

muni.org ↗Anchorage, AK, USA

The Municipality of Anchorage is the unified home rule government that combines city and borough powers for Anchorage, from Girdwood to Eklutna. It is led by a mayor and an elected Assembly, which adopts ordinances, approves contracts and confirms appointments to city boards.

The Municipality runs the Anchorage Police Department, the Anchorage Fire Department, public works, planning and the Loussac Library. Recurring questions concern zoning and housing density rules, police practices and surveillance rules, traffic safety, and the replacement of aging equipment and facilities.

Its boards and commissions, among them the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Equal Rights Commission, are filled by mayoral appointment with Assembly confirmation. Communities within its boundaries, including Eagle River, Chugiak and Girdwood, have their own road contracts and reserves that the Assembly approves.

More from Municipality of Anchorage

A dog reported killed in the Bear Valley bear attack turned up alive

The dog reported killed in Saturday's Bear Valley bear attack is alive and unhurt — another hiking party found it and brought it home.

Maggie AlaskaNewsby Maggie AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
Cover image for article: A dog reported killed in the Bear Valley bear attack turned up alive

Anchorage Assembly weighs how hard to investigate Martinez's travel

The Anchorage Assembly must pick between a quiet look at George Martinez's travel and a subpoena-backed investigation that could end in his removal.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min readFrom
Cover image for article: Anchorage Assembly weighs how hard to investigate Martinez's travel

Anchorage day cares say a grant cut could force them to close

Anchorage voters dedicated marijuana taxes to child care. Now providers say a nearly 70 percent cut to operating grants could force them to close their doors.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
Cover image for article: Anchorage day cares say a grant cut could force them to close

Anchorage Assembly members frame Fairview grant as a civil-rights question

Two Anchorage Assembly members are opposing a $750,000 behavioral health grant for Fairview, arguing it repeats a pattern of concentrating services in neighborhoods already burdened by discrimination.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago3 min readFrom
Fairview, Anchorage, Alaska
Cover image for article: Anchorage Assembly members frame Fairview grant as a civil-rights question

Anchorage Assembly resolution seeks school-funding scenarios and deferred maintenance analysis

Anchorage Assembly ordered the administration to show by Aug. 31 how much it would cost to fully fund schools and which city services would be cut to pay for it, ahead of the October budget deadline.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago3 min read
Cover image for article: Anchorage Assembly resolution seeks school-funding scenarios and deferred maintenance analysis

Crews are cutting firebreaks in the woods at the center of Anchorage

Three Campbell Tract trail segments are closed through July 25 while crews trim the firebreaks keeping a wildfire out of Anchorage's neighborhoods.

Maggie AlaskaNewsby Maggie AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
Campbell Tract, Anchorage, Alaska
Cover image for article: Crews are cutting firebreaks in the woods at the center of Anchorage

Anchorage cited 36 for-hire drivers for unlicensed operation, denied 9 licenses for barrier crimes

Anchorage cited 36 for-hire drivers for operating without valid licenses and denied 9 applicants for crimes including sexual assault and drug offenses between 2025 and July 2026.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
Cover image for article: Anchorage cited 36 for-hire drivers for unlicensed operation, denied 9 licenses for barrier crimes

Rockfall risk added to Anchorage flood watch as second rain round targets Monday commute

Heavy rain expected Monday morning in Anchorage may trigger rockfalls on the Seward Highway and flood Chester and Campbell creeks through Tuesday.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
Cover image for article: Rockfall risk added to Anchorage flood watch as second rain round targets Monday commute

Week of Jul 13

Anchorage Assembly set to approve $1.4M fire engine with 900-day wait

Anchorage Assembly votes July 21 on a $1.4 million fire engine that won't arrive for roughly 900 days due to nationwide manufacturing delays.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
Cover image for article: Anchorage Assembly set to approve $1.4M fire engine with 900-day wait

Anchorage Assembly set to approve $1.53M landfill loader replacement

Anchorage Assembly will vote Monday to spend $1.53 million replacing the landfill's main wheel loader, which is too expensive to keep repairing.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago1 min read
Cover image for article: Anchorage Assembly set to approve $1.53M landfill loader replacement

Brown bear injures hiker on Bear Valley trail above south Anchorage

A brown bear injured a hiker on a social trail above Bear Valley in south Anchorage on Saturday, prompting Fish and Game to post warning signs and urge hikers to travel in groups and carry bear spray.

Maggie AlaskaNewsby Maggie AlaskaNewsadded 3mo ago2 min read
Bear Valley, Anchorage, Alaska
Cover image for article: Brown bear injures hiker on Bear Valley trail above south Anchorage

Anchorage landfill contract hits $16M after starting at $30,004

Anchorage Assembly votes Tuesday on a $983,510 amendment to its landfill contract, pushing the total to $16.1 million since the deal started at $30,004 in 2021.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
Cover image for article: Anchorage landfill contract hits $16M after starting at $30,004

ADEC permit delay forces Anchorage to extend drainage contract, adding $500K

Anchorage Assembly will vote July 21 on a $500,000 contract extension with AWR Engineering to maintain stormwater services while the state finishes renewing the city's pollution discharge permit.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
Cover image for article: ADEC permit delay forces Anchorage to extend drainage contract, adding $500K

Anchorage Assembly takes up $311,222 program to help mobile home residents displaced by park redevelopment

Anchorage Assembly is considering a $311,222 program to help mobile home residents displaced when their parks are redeveloped, part of a $2.57 million federal housing plan due to HUD by August 16.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
Cover image for article: Anchorage Assembly takes up $311,222 program to help mobile home residents displaced by park redevelopment

Anchorage resolution would steer infrastructure to neighborhoods absorbing new housing

Anchorage Assembly will vote Tuesday on a resolution directing city infrastructure spending toward neighborhoods absorbing new housing under municipal growth plans.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
Cover image for article: Anchorage resolution would steer infrastructure to neighborhoods absorbing new housing

AWWU files new tariff revisions with Alaska regulators, opening public comment on Anchorage water and sewer rates

Anchorage water and sewer bills rose $5.46 per month in 2026 after the Assembly approved increases and AWWU filed tariffs with state regulators, opening public comment through July 31.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
Cover image for article: AWWU files new tariff revisions with Alaska regulators, opening public comment on Anchorage water and sewer rates

Anchorage Hillside neighborhood demands expedited chipping days as municipal contracting stalls

Hillside residents demand the Municipality speed up brush chipping before fire season peaks, citing stalled contracting and uncleared piles in the wildland-urban interface.

Maggie AlaskaNewsby Maggie AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
Cover image for article: Anchorage Hillside neighborhood demands expedited chipping days as municipal contracting stalls

Fairview grant dispute heads to Assembly with two members urging no vote

Two Assembly members urge rejection of a $750,000 federal grant for a behavioral health center in Fairview, citing a 2018 city policy against concentrating social services there.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews3mo ago2 min read
Fairview, Anchorage, Alaska
Cover image for article: Fairview grant dispute heads to Assembly with two members urging no vote

Anchorage Assembly set to approve transfer of three marijuana licenses to sole ownership at one address

Anchorage Assembly votes Monday to transfer three marijuana licenses at one address to sole owner Yotam Levi, meeting a July 28 state protest deadline.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago1 min read
Cover image for article: Anchorage Assembly set to approve transfer of three marijuana licenses to sole ownership at one address

Anchorage proposes tax break for mixed-use buildings with owner-occupied units

Anchorage proposes a 10-year property tax break for developers who build or convert mixed-use buildings with at least four owner-occupied units priced at or below $496,746 each.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min read
Cover image for article: Anchorage proposes tax break for mixed-use buildings with owner-occupied units

Anchorage Assembly weighs 10-year tax break for first-time homebuyers of new starter homes

Anchorage Assembly is considering a 10-year property tax break for first-time buyers of newly built homes priced at or below $496,746, with a public hearing set for Aug. 4.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago3 min read
Cover image for article: Anchorage Assembly weighs 10-year tax break for first-time homebuyers of new starter homes

Anchorage tax-exempt property audit won't finish until 2031 or 2032 under current staffing

Anchorage will not finish auditing 570 flagged tax-exempt properties until 2031 or 2032 without more staff, though the work could recover roughly $811,000 in annual tax revenue.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago3 min read
Cover image for article: Anchorage tax-exempt property audit won't finish until 2031 or 2032 under current staffing

Anchorage operator seeks renewal of four marijuana licenses across two sites

Anchorage operator Eun Lee seeks renewal of four marijuana licenses at two sites; the city's protest window closes July 25 and 26.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min read
Cover image for article: Anchorage operator seeks renewal of four marijuana licenses across two sites

Anchorage Assembly to hear third version of public safety commission ordinance July 21

Anchorage Assembly will hear a third version of a public safety commission ordinance July 21, restoring an advisory forum vacant since January 2024.

Walter AlaskaNewsby Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min read
Cover image for article: Anchorage Assembly to hear third version of public safety commission ordinance July 21