Peek at the Past

Here’s what made the news in the Oct. 3, 1984, edition of the Ma-Su Frontiersman:

Permanent fund may venture into Valley real estate

The Alaska Permanent Fund’s first venture into the Alaska real estate market may be in Wasilla. Fund representatives are negotiating with the Seattle-based Rainier Fund to take more than 40 percent of the long-term financing of the Cottonwood Creek Mall. Rainier Fund built the mall with bank loans and is looking for investors to pay off those loans and help carry the long-term risk. If the Cottonwood Creek Mall investment is finalized, it would be a participatory mortgage. The permanent fund would not only collect interest on the loans but would share in any additional profits.

Big Lake residents want roads

About 35 residents said that more and better roads are what they want from the state. Similar hearings are planned throughout the borough, as officials work to prepare a list of capital-project requests for state money. Eventually, the borough assembly will compile local requests with other borough-wide projects; the resulting list will be sent to state legislators in Juneau. The Big Lake residents expressed the most interest in getting Briggs Road on the north shore improved, a one-mile extension of Beaver Lake Road to the junior and senior high schools, as well as a community park.

Roads, schools top Wasilla priority list

A legislative priority hearing prompted requests for road improvements, schools, new courtrooms, a new library and several other items from residents. The hearing was on a dozen such forums the borough is conducting to gain public input into its prioritization of capital improvement projects. The assembly will make the final decisions about budget priorities and send its list to the Legislature. Residents are requesting money for road projects including paving downtown Wasilla, improving Seward Meridian Road to include a bike lane, an upgrade of Wasilla Fishhook Road, and completing a Seldon Road intertie that would connect with the Seward Meridian.

It cost what?

According to advertisements, in 1984 you could:

Fly to Hawaii for $149

Purchase a whole chicken for 88 cents

Buy a pound of ground beef for $1.29

Enjoy a pound of tomatoes for 59 cents