Palmer approves a list of needed projects, giving city officials green light to seek funds

Palmer’s city council has okayed a list of capital projects for the city, although what it really amounts to is a license for city administrators to find the money to build them.

The list approved at the council’s October 25 meeting is for the city’s 2023 fiscal year, which is the calendar year beginning Jan. 1.

City officials will be looking for federal or state funds, or possible private nonprofit funding for certain improvements. The chances are good for funding at least some projects from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act or a straight congressional “earmark” appropriation through the state’s congressional delegation.

A state capital appropriation is also possible.

Not surprisingly, public safety, road, utility and parks and trail improvements are listed including safe walking paths for pedestrians along streets and highways. Some projects are from previous years but still unfunded.

However, this year’s list includes acquisition by the city of the historic downtown Palmer water tower, an icon from the city’s history as an agricultural colony in the late 1930s.

The tower and tank, which is no longer used privately owned but is still privately owned, is visible from most of Palmer and is a symbol of the city’s history. While the current owner keeps up maintenance the city would like to acquire the tanks and tower, for an estimated $100,000, to ensure public control of such a visible community symbol for the long-term.

Acquisition of the historic downtown Alaska Railroad right-of-way, another legacy from the early days, is on the city’s list for $1.5 million. There is a large number of community events taking place in downtown Palmer and the railroad right-of-way is essentially unused public space.

On the public safety equipment list is a replacement fire engine to replace a 1987-model unit, a 1989 brush truck and 1991 support vehicle for an estimated $1.06 million; and $95,000 for a rescue support vehicle to replace one that was destroyed.

A $10 million new public safety building is on the list. Palmer’s police and fire departments are now housed in antiquated facilities that no longer meet the city’s needs.

A larger, $19.4 million project is the planned water system expansion and looping to expand city water service to portions of the utility service area, to allow denser commercial and residential development along the recently upgraded Trunk Road corridor.

Also, a $1.38 million project for a pressure booster station on the Bogard Road water main extension is needed to support a recently-completed estension of the water system.

Related to this is a $10 million proposal to connect the Palmer and Wasilla water systems to build resiliency and to provide an emergency water system backup for both communities.

Road improvements are on the list as well as pedestrian safety corridors are recreational trails. The city will seek $400,000 to $4 million for paving several gravel roads that are city-owned but need upgrading.

A $1.87 million improvement to downtown Palmer streets would reconstruct and widen roads along South Cobb Street, which is a major arterial serving the regional post office, city hall complex and fire station. More parking lanes would be added and widened and improved sidewalks and curbs.

On trail improvements, a $1 million Shane Wood Memorial Trail Phase II would connect the Auklet Bike Tunnel to the Matanuska River park and butte trail and also connect the Butte Trail to Cope Industrial Trail as well as South Chugach to the State Fair grounds.

On parks, $2 million is proposed for a community park to honor veterans as well as $350,000 to develop three new parks, Hidden Ranch, River Front Trail and Park along with improvements at Amoosement Park.

For pedestrian safety, $3.5 million is proposed for pedestrian access and a pedestrian bridge as well as a safe walking and biking corridor to housing developments along the heavily-used Glenn Highway north of Palmer.