Anchorage Proposition 2 supports seniors and libraries

Remember when ice cream only cost a quarter? These days, 25 cents won’t buy much, but for less than a dollar, voters can still support some of the most popular facilities at the heart of our community.

This spring, we have an opportunity to give back to our community and invest in three municipal facilities that are vital to our daily lives. When you get your ballot in the mail soon, look for Proposition 2, the Facilities Capital Improvements for Anchorage and Chugiak-Eagle River Senior Centers and Loussac Library Bond. It’s a small package with a big impact. The entire bond amount is just $1.15 million and with a tax increase of $0.25 per $100,000 of assessed value per household, the cost to the average homeowner will be less than $1.

History shows that just like with our own homes, when we invest small amounts regularly to keep up our municipal facilities, it saves taxpayer money over the long run, by avoiding costlier repairs after the damage is done.

Proceeds from the bonds will go to:

• Chugiak-Eagle River Senior Center: Funds will pay for a septic system engineering assessment, apartment renovations and design/construction of additional apartments.

• Anchorage Senior Center: ADA guards and handrails, repair/replace windows and other safety upgrades will all be funded.

• The new Alaska Room at Loussac Library: The library’s $500,000 portion of the bond is being matched with a $390,000 federal grant and $700,000 in private donations.

Who uses these facilities? We do! Grandparents, families, kids and workers all benefit from senior centers and libraries. These city-owned facilities receive a million visits a year and serve the entire municipality.

• More than 100,000 people per year use the Anchorage Senior Center, including students, non-profits, dance groups and the business community.

• Municipal residents use public libraries regularly – Anchorage Public Library sees almost a million visits per year.

• The Anchorage and Chugiak-Eagle River senior centers allow us to remain in our communities as we age, close to our friends and family.

• All three facilities have been serving our community with altered services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Proposition 2 will appear on the Municipality of Anchorage election ballot being mailed this week. Ballots are due by April 6. For full voting information and ballot propositions, visit muni.org.

Gordon Glaser is Board President of the Anchorage Senior Activity Center, Board President

Kim Hays is Board President of the Anchorage Library Foundation.

Wendy Luft is Board President of the Chugiak-Eagle River Senior Center.

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