A strong city needs a vibrant downtown

In the middle of the winter of 1996, Anchorage’s then-mayor, Rick Mystrom, traveled to Winnipeg, Canada, for the annual Northern Intercity Conference of Mayors.

During one of the week’s evening events, a few of the visitors joined the Winnipeg mayor for a driving tour of the city, and in the northern midwinter, most of the city blocks around the outskirts were dark and lifeless. But one neighborhood was a different story: There, streetlights and stands of lights shone brightly, shoppers bustled along sidewalks heading to stores and restaurants, and patios were full with laughter and conversation — even in the cold night.

So what was the difference between this thriving oasis of light and activity and its dark outskirts? The mayor of Winnipeg explained that the area of the city had decided to pay an assessment and invest that funding back into services that would attract business to the neighborhood, creating a business improvement district.

At the time, Anchorage’s downtown had been long neglected. Many Anchorage residents saw the area as somewhere to get business done — then leave. Graffiti, trash and crime were rampant, and business owners either had to hire employees to shovel sidewalks and remove loiterers — or just cover their eyes when they got to work.

But inspired by the vibrancy of Winnipeg, Mayor Mystrom recruited some visionary downtown business leaders, including Larry Cash, founder of RIM Architects, and Chris Anderson, owner of Glacier Brewhouse, who — along with other community leaders — partnered together to foster a better downtown. The concept of a business improvement district was a viable solution to revitalize the area and remind property owners that through investment and hard work, the fate of a neighborhood can be changed. In 1997, after a tremendous effort by the group of concerned citizens including Mayor Mystrom, Cash and Anderson, the Downtown Improvement District was born with the approval of a majority of downtown property owners.

From its inception, Anchorage Downtown Partnership, Ltd., which provides clean and safe services within the Downtown Improvement District, has been centered on actions to improve the value of downtown. The mission of a clean, safe and vital downtown focuses on issues of snow and ice removal on the sidewalks, removing graffiti, and general clean up services. Perhaps most importantly, ADP runs trained ambassador patrols that act as the eyes and ears on the ground, ready to respond to vagrancy, clean up trash and provide a friendly security presence for the many visitors to downtown.

Of course, the services were never perfect, and downtown continued to suffer from problems related to homelessness, drugs and crime. But the results of the investment paid off, creating a clean and safe environment with increased downtown residents, successful restaurants and bars, a thriving tourism industry, and regular community events every month of the year. Currently, corporate headquarters, federal, state and municipal offices, as well as locally owned small businesses, operate out of downtown. Almost all tourists to Alaska pass through downtown via cruise ships, the Alaska Railroad, or to fly in and out of Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. And, for nearly 25 years, ADP has worked with business owners to direct services and respond to all types of challenges.

2020 brought unimaginable changes to downtown. This year, as many bars and restaurants face permanent closures, retail shops struggle and offices stay closed, ADP shows up each and every day to respond to the critical situation in the district, proving this investment is more important than ever.

Downtown belongs to our community. There is a reason Anchorage Downtown Partnership, Ltd. carries that name; it is a partnership — between property owners, business owners, Municipal government, residents, and organizations. The strength of ADP is through its collaborations with AEDC, ACDA, Downtown Community Council, Anchorage Chamber of Commerce, Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness, and more. The issues facing downtown cannot be solved by one organization. They require creative, multifaceted solutions that engage everyone involved, working in partnership.

This year, the Downtown Improvement District is up for its 10-year renewal by downtown property owners. The coronavirus pandemic has caused unprecedented financial hardship, and the idea of an assessment isn’t high on anyone’s mind. But property and business owners also know that investing smartly in the future will pay dividends later.

Now is the time to band together, invest in our future and creatively resolve the problems facing our downtown as a united community. Anchorage Downtown Partnership, Ltd. can lead the way, but we, as downtown property owners, business owners, residents and community members, need to follow their lead and continue to invest in and care about our community.

Rick Mystrom is a former mayor of Anchorage. Amanda Moser is the executive director of Anchorage Downtown Partnership. Larry Cash is the founder of RIM Architects.

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