Palmer tackles downtown improvements to enhance tourism, recreation

Palmer’s city council approved a resolution supporting a new concept master plan for downtown development to enhance tourism and services for visitors.

The city’s Board of Economic Development, chaired by Dusty Silva, developed the proposal and presented it to the council June 14.

The city’s community development department, led by Brad Hanson, will lead the project but the council wants substantial public engagement, its members said at the meeting.

A budget of $20,000 proposed for the project would help pay for a landscape architect as well as expenses for community involvement. Once the proposal is developed it will go back to the city council for final approval.

The near-term focus is on better using and improving property in Palmer’s downtown owned by the Alaska Railroad but under lease to the city. A near-term goal providing more parking for events like Colony Days, which was very successful this year.

For the long term the plan could involve removal of existing rail tracks in downtown that are no longer used by the Alaska Railroad along with building new events facilities if financing can be found.

Palmer is already a nice place to visit, city manager John Moosey said. “This is about improving something that is already good,”

The city has had plans for downtown redevelopment such as an extensive plan developed in 2002 but the recommendations have been adopted only in bits and pieces, Moosey said, because of financial considerations.

What’s different about the latest initiative is that it would be an implementation plan. “This is not just another study,” said Hanson, the community development director.

It would set priorities for things to be done, with the decisions to be made by the community, he said.

A 2020 downtown development plan done with the Matanuska Susitna Borough and funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will provide a foundation for the new plan, according to the resolution adopted by the council.

Those recommendations centered on development and beautification of downtown land within the railroad corridor for public use and enjoyment, the resolution said.

Goals include:

• A railroad corridor development concept

• A comprehensive approach to parking and circulation

• Preservation of historically important items

• Pre-approved specialty features that community groups or members can purchase or intall

• Continued discussion with Palmer’s city council and city advisory boards

• Concurrence by the Alaska Railroad

The city’s economic development board has identified five project elements for land in the railroad right-of-way, including more community event space north of the railroad depot; parking enhancements on Colony Way and Valley Way; motorized and non-motorized connectivity, park and playground improvements, and branding and signage recognizing Palmer’s history.