Community heart, pride drive Palmer

Palmer is the new downtown destination for people throughout the Valley and Anchorage to visit.

In many areas, the news is filled with stories of small downtowns falling on hard times. Elected officials, administrators and planners wonder what they can do to ignite the spark of sustainable development in their communities.

Palmer has not been immune to economic downturn, but responded to the changed economy and circumstances by creating a viable economic identity. Palmer has chosen to focus on its strengths and is a perfect example of culturally led economic development.

Palmer has taken some hard hits over the years. But in true Alaskan style, these difficulties have been translated into opportunities. The community has bootstrapped the local economy to life, staying true to its agricultural roots and retaining the beauty of the human scale walkable downtown.

This endeavor was not individual, but cooperative. The changes were not easy, but in the long run they have been successful. This has been an ongoing community process with stops and starts along the way. The results, while not immediate, are obvious in Palmer today.

Throughout the last decade, the Palmer City Council had the foresight to dedicate monies to enhance downtown ambiance with improved street lighting, sidewalks, trails, upgraded utilities and continued funding for green spaces and gardens. Volunteer sports enthusiasts continued to develop recreational facilities, and art and museum organizations formed.

In the private sector, property owners took risks to upgrade buildings, various small businesses filled the local store fronts, and industrial developers identified Palmer’s Commercial Park as a cost-effective location – efficiently located with rail spur and airport access.

Palmer is now the proud home to some of the largest high-tech manufacturing and construction companies in the state. Most of these businesses are locally owned and privately financed.

Couple this with our individual unique retail stores, historic downtown and proximity to Anchorage, and it is no wonder that Palmer is one of the fastest growing areas of Alaska. The community is infused with an atmosphere of vibrancy and poised to embrace tomorrow’s opportunities.

Palmer increasingly speaks of itself in the positive, displaying ownership and engagement. Community members are delighted to join together for a common purpose.

A shining example of this was last week’s “Choose Respect” march. Of the nearly 400 people who participated, 250 were teens or younger. Seniors stood on the balcony at the senior center and cheered as the group walked by. It was truly a multi-generational event, and people of all walks of life participated.

The rec ent downtown master plan meeting drew the largest crowd ever to a Palmer planning event. The tone of the meeting was set in the first hour as audience members were quick to describe their favorite aspects of life in Palmer.

As mayor, it was gratifying to hear that along with rosy outlooks, obligations were acknowledged. This group is ready to work, ready to cooperate to make a difference in the town. It is exciting to see what is developing in Palmer.

Cooperative spirit, positive vision and creativity are perfectly illustrated in the full slate of upcoming events and downtown activities. These are not just any activities, but events that enhance quality of life, encourage healthy lifestyles and provide educational opportunities.

On April 28, the town will be buzzing:

Palmer Senior Citizens Center will be the site of a Community Health Fair and Wellness Event with low-cost screening, a wide array of educational booths, and presentations on all aspects of creating and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Downtown Palmer Merchants will host “Who Let the Girls Out,” a day designed to celebrate women, featuring a wide array of shopping, events, music and fun.

Bicyclists can start spring out by participating in a Spring Classic Randonneur organized by Backcountry Bike and Ski.

Palmer is a perfect illustration of how the challenges faced in small downtowns in America can become the foundation of today’s most desirable neighborhoods. Palmer has emerged as an example of grass roots revitalization and privately led cultural economic development.

It’s hard to define and hard to duplicate. And this movement must come from the heart of the community. Palmer has experience working from the ground up. Like many things in Palmer our economy is locally grown, cooperatively developed and self-determined.

See you in Palmer, Alaska’s downtown destination!

DeLena Johnson has been Palmer’s mayor since October 2010.