OPINION: Vision and collaboration needed from Anchorage’s next mayor

Vision is a word used a lot in politics, yet the substance can be elusive. Anchorage is in dire need of a vision grounded in practicality and collaboration — a vision that will get our city back on a path to success. A vision that makes our city safe, clean, and vibrant again. A vision that will help give our kids a reason not to leave Alaska. A vision that will attract families and workers to Anchorage. A vision that will get our city back on a path of success and growth. For us, Bill Popp is the candidate for mayor who has a vision we can all get behind.

We have both worked with Popp on several strategic projects while he was President and CEO of Anchorage Economic Development Corporation (AEDC). We have seen him work collaboratively with groups holding opposite points of view and find common ground everyone could support. We have repeatedly seen Bill help community and business leaders better understand issues facing our city and its economy, resulting in new partnerships and tangible improvements for Anchorage.

Anchorage is at a crossroads. We are on the cusp of billions of dollars being spent in Alaska by the oil and gas industry, the mining industry, the military, and the federal government. And with all this investment will come thousands of jobs for our state and local economy. While this is good news, it is mitigated by our city losing workers by the thousands to retirement and out-migration. We may see many if not most of the new jobs created by these investments going to out-of-state workers, diffusing the economic impact of those jobs. We want to see a different outcome and keep as many of these dollars here, in Alaska, benefiting Alaskans and growing our local economy.

Bill Popp has a vision to address these challenges and a plan to accomplish it.

Popp knows we have not reinvested in our City’s quality of life for decades. He is committed to working with the community to develop a list of projects that will improve its livability for working-age persons and retirees alike. Possible projects include a Downtown walking-only entertainment district with new housing, a Main Street housing and business development in the U-Med District, a rethink of the Chester Creek Sports complex that incorporates new housing with new businesses in combination with expanded ice rink facilities, a multi-use baseball/winter sports stadium, and direct connections to an upgraded and expanded Chester Creek trail system.

Bill Popp is the new leader our city desperately needs. He has the vision for Anchorage, the experience to chart a path to realize it, and the passion needed to make it happen.

Walter Featherly is an Anchorage attorney and candidate for House District 11. Michelle Klouda is owner of RIM Architects and a board member of the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation.

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