Gravel roads disappear in Palmer, more set to be paved

PALMER -- The number of dirt roads in Palmer is quickly dwindling, and with the blessing of the city council and local residents more could soon be paved.

The washboard gravel surfaces of North Valley Way, North Gulkana Street and East Eagle Avenue, all on the northwest side of town in the vicinity of Sherrod and Swanson elementary schools, could give way to smooth, wide pavement and sidewalks this year.

Dozens of landowners in the area and the Palmer City Council have to agree to the costs before the projects proceed, but according to city officials it is a good opportunity for all parties.

"It ends up being a smoking deal," said Rick Koch, public works superintendent for the city. With the assistance of millions of dollars in Department of Environmental Conservation grants and matching federal funds, the city will be digging up North Valley to upgrade water systems.

Along the way, Koch said, the city can install wider, paved roads, sidewalks and lights, with adjacent residents only picking up a small amount of the total cost.

During last week's meeting, the city council agreed to have the city pay 75 percent and landowners along the streets 25 percent. Because of the grant money, however, that is 25 percent of what it would cost to pave a basic, 24-foot-wide standard residential road, less than what city residents will actually be getting -- at least 32-foot-wide roads, sidewalks and lights.

For example, North Valley Way will be a more than $1 million project, but landowners along the street will pay 25 percent of less than $500,000 instead.

Based on the assessment method the council chose, this will translate into bills ranging from less than $1,000 to more than $20,000 for landowners, depending on the size of the lots and their assessed value.

On nearby North Gulkana and East Eagle, the city will be asking the Mat-Su Borough School District to pick up a larger share of the cost of improvements based on the increased traffic it will generate with its new Sherrod Elementary, located on the currently unpaved North Gulkana. Landowners on the other side of the street, however, would each get bills of less than $2,000.

The process is still up for public notice and hearing, expected to be scheduled sometime in March.

The city is in the process of preparing notices for landowners. Depending on residents' concerns, the council could reject or change the offer.

However, considering what they'll be getting for their money, Koch said he believes most people will be on board.

These are just the most recent paving projects in Palmer. South Denali Street, adjacent to the Palmer Court House, will be paved this summer and several cross streets accessing the Palmer Post Office were completed last summer.

Next on deck is South Chugach Street. The city manager is expected to provide numbers on this project at an upcoming meeting.

Koch said he doesn't know exactly what proportion of Palmer streets are no longer gravel, but he said it is clear the vast majority are now paved.

"The council has set a real priority on these projects," he said.