Palmer seeks to enhance both beauty and utility of the area

PALMER -- A release of proposed projects by the city of Palmer that would require federal funding includes a number of improvements to the city's downtown area, as well as its airport to the north.

The Palmer Capital Improvements Plan would, in addition to these new amenities, also complete the second phase of the Palmer Urban Revitalization Project, a set of public transportation and recreation improvements along the Alaska Railroad right-of-way through the center of Palmer. Though the right-of-way, which extends to either side of the existing railway, is both centrally located and an important transportation and recreation asset in Palmer, it remains unimproved and underutilized, according to Palmer's report.

This improvement is being conducted as a DOT Transportation, Communities and System Preservation project. Palmer has already received roughly $200,000 in federal highway funds to plan the project, a process that has been completed.

The first phase of the project, for which $1.1 million has been authorized, involves clearing, grading and landscaping of the area and the construction of portions of a 15,000-foot paved pedestrian and bicycle path, as well as lighting and traffic management improvements near downtown Palmer.

The city council has requested an additional $2.8 million for the second phase as well, which would install lighting, signage and fencing as well as construction of restrooms, pedestrian areas and railroad improvements.

The Palmer airport is also in for some positive changes in the coming year. The FAA has agreed to fund three airport projects in the coming year: the acquisition of property for a runway protection zone, construction of a taxilane to provide access to lease lots, and a paved apron to provide more tie-down areas for aircraft.

The FAA's Palmer Airport capital improvement program for '04 also includes acquisition of equipment, security fencing and an overlay for the runway.

The cost of these airport projects is estimated to total $2.5 million. The city will pay the local sponsor share of 6.25 percent of the project costs, or roughly $156,000. The city also intends to request continued funding of FAA capital improvement programs to allow airport improvements to meet the growing needs of aviation in Alaska, according to the Capital Improvement Plan study released by the council in 2003.

Palmer also intends to seek $2 million to align Inner Springer Loop Road and Moore Road and install a traffic signal at the intersection, half a million dollars to construct a water man extension west along Helen Drive and into Palmer West Subdivision, and $700,000 to extend its water and sewer utilities west to Hemmer Road. According to an August 2003 memo from the city council stating the city's intent to apply for federal funds, a $500,000 grant from the state of Alaska might also be obtained to pursue this project.

Contact Daniel Spoth at daniel.spoth@frontiersman.com.