Legislature(2009 - 2010)BELTZ 211
03/31/2009 03:30 PM Senate COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB165 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| *+ | SB 165 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 165-AUTHORIZING TRANSFER OF RAILROAD LAND
3:32:09 PM
CHAIR OLSON announced the consideration of SB 165.
JESSE CROSS-CALL, Staff, to Senator Johnny Ellis, Alaska State
Legislature, said SB 165 is a land swap between the municipality
of Anchorage and the Alaska Railroad Corporation. The bill is
the culmination of a lot of work with the municipality, the
railroad, the Anchorage School District, and the Government Hill
Community Council, and all parties support SB 165. He presented
a map of the parcels.
MR. CROSS-CALL said there are two lots in Government Hill owned
by the railroad that will be transferred to the municipality of
Anchorage. One is a little under two acres on Hollywood Drive
that is appraised at $480,000. That area is being redeveloped
into homes, and if Anchorage owned the lots they would be sold
for residential development. The second parcel is much smaller
and is next to an elementary school. If Anchorage owned it, it
would be made into a safer entrance to the school.
3:35:14 PM
CHAIR OLSON asked the size of that parcel.
MR. CROSS-CALL said it is 0.18 acres and worth $122,800.
SENATOR THOMAS asked where it is on the map.
MR. CROSS-CALL said it is at the top of the map in blue. The
purpose of the transfer is described on page 2 of the bill. The
municipality of Anchorage will transfer land that is across Ship
Creek near downtown Anchorage. It is surrounded by railroad
land, and it is a parking lot run by the downtown parking
authority. Giving the parcel to the railroad will allow the
railroad to develop it. It is appraised at $645,000. The land
being given to the railroad is worth more. The municipality has
said it doesn't expect future compensation for the difference.
3:37:41 PM
CHAIR MENARD asked if the municipality is transferring 20,150
square feet to the railroad.
MR. CROSS-CALL said yes, and he reiterated the support by all
the parties involved.
SENATOR KOOKESH asked why the legislature has to authorize this.
MR. CROSS-CALL said any transfer of land from the railroad has
to be approved by the legislature.
CHAIR OLSON asked if the parcels are owned fee simple. He asked
about letters from land developers or the nearby Comfort Inn.
3:39:44 PM
MR. CROSS-CALL said it is fee simple land, and his office
doesn't have any letters. He doesn't know about the Comfort Inn.
SENATOR THOMAS said he has land he would like to swap with the
railroad. The bill could be amended to take care of it.
SENATOR MENARD asked why the railroad wants this land and if it
is the piece they have wanted for the ferry or for parking.
MR. CROSS-CALL said he thinks the railroad was just looking for
land of an equal value.
3:41:13 PM
SENATOR MENARD asked if the railroad has plans for the land.
There has been some controversy about getting more [Ship] Creek
property in the railroad's possession.
JAMES KUBITZ, Vice President of Real Estate, Alaska Railroad
Corporation, Anchorage, said the railroad was approached by the
municipality because it wanted the parcel on Government Hill. So
the railroad looked for something of equal value. The city has
owned the small in-holding, making it burdensome for anyone to
do anything with it. It gives the railroad a usable lot. He said
he has not heard any opposition to the trade.
3:43:21 PM
CHAIR OLSON said he understands why the municipality would want
the trade, but what does the railroad want with a half acre in
the middle of a parking lot?
MR. KUBITZ said it could be continuous parking, but making it
one piece makes it developable. A building could be built if
this bill passes. The railroad would lease it out if someone
wanted to build on it.
3:44:32 PM
BOB FRENCH, Co-Vice President, Government Hill Community
Council, Anchorage, said his council is the most basic form of
local government. The 39 community councils in Anchorage have
few powers, but the municipality looks to them for advice and
guidance on local issues. His council is in favor of SB 165.
Government Hill is the oldest neighborhood in Anchorage. Its
history is tied to the railroad, so it has a large density of
railroad-owned land. The railroad owns many small parcels on
Government Hill, which can hinder development. The entrance to
the elementary school doesn't function well. There is a small
street and a metal school crossing bridge right where the
entrance to Elmendorf Air Force Base and two disconnected halves
of Bluff Road all join together. The railroad property is in the
middle of all that and blocks attempts to create a workable
entrance. It may not be easy, but there will be the hope of
finding a solution if the land is swapped.
3:47:50 PM
SENATOR FRENCH said the entrance to the school is really in need
of a makeover. It is hard to see from the map. The Government
Hill Community Council is known for its strength and awareness
of local issue. It is a very proactive group, and when it
speaks, it speaks with authority about what the community wants.
CHAIR OLSON asked about the boundaries of the council.
MR. BOB FRENCH said it includes all of the Anchorage terminal
reserve owned by the Alaska railroad. There are quite a few
industrial partners in the community council, including the Port
of Anchorage, Ship Creek Valley, and Elmendorf Air Force Base.
3:50:03 PM
CHAIR OLSON asked if the Saturday Market is included.
MR. BOB FRENCH said he thinks that is part of the downtown
council.
SENATOR MENARD asked if everything on the map that is orange is
within Government Hill.
SENATOR FRENCH said it is the opposite of that, he thinks.
MR. KUBITZ said he doesn't have a map.
3:51:47 PM
WENDY LINDSKOOG, Assistant Vice President, Corporate Affairs,
Alaska Railroad Corporation, Anchorage, said the orange line
defines the railroad property, and it doesn't relate to
community council boundaries. The two blue parcels are in
Government Hill. This was a good negotiation with the city, and
she would like to see the bill move.
SENATOR THOMAS asked if everything to the west, south, and east
of the orange line is railroad property. "Are we just not seeing
the continuation on the right side of the map?"
MS. LINDSKOOG said yes.
3:54:21 PM
The committee took a brief at-ease.
SENATOR FRENCH moved to report SB 165 from committee with
individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). There
being no objection, SB 165 moved out of committee.
SENATOR MENARD said the only difficulty was the $42,200 benefit
to the railroad. It is a small struggle to see the inequity.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB165 ARRC Resolution.pdf |
SCRA 3/31/2009 3:30:00 PM |
SB 165 |
| SB165 Anchorage SD.pdf |
SCRA 3/31/2009 3:30:00 PM |
SB 165 |
| SB165 Government Hill CC.pdf |
SCRA 3/31/2009 3:30:00 PM |
SB 165 |
| SB165 Sponsor Statement.pdf |
SCRA 3/31/2009 3:30:00 PM |
SB 165 |
| SB165 Map.pdf |
SCRA 3/31/2009 3:30:00 PM |
SB 165 |