Road closure planned in Palmer

PALMER — Warm spring-like weather has some construction crews already working, including an Alaska Demolition crew that will raze the old school district buildings at 125 W. Evergreen Ave. and 725 S. Bailey St.

Developer Richard Stryken said his company 125 W. Evergreen LLC purchased the buildings from the Mat-Su Borough and after completing asbestos abatement, will raze the pair and build a new two-story building with a full basement on the existing foundation.

He said this is the 15th project he’s done in Palmer. Most recently, he said he renovated the old courthouse building on Fireweed Street, which now houses a daycare center.

But over the years, he said he’s given facelifts to much of the city’s downtown.

Owned by Richard and Colleen Stryken and Dave and Dana Cruz, 125 W. Evergreen LLC, plans to let the bottom floor of the new building as retail space and the second floor is office space.

“I don’t think it will be a problem filling it up,” Stryken said. “It’s going to be a great addition to Palmer.”

Drivers passing through downtown Palmer will be hard pressed not to notice the associated detour, which will reroute traffic around one of the city’s busiest areas. The closure on Evergreen will block the street between Bailey and Alaska streets.

He said the building has been an eye-sore for so long, people seem excited about the change coming. Stryken said building is from the mid-1930s and plans are to replace it with a similar, updated stucture.

The plan Stryken filed with the city says the one-block closure is necessary while Alaska Demolition crews and truck traffic are working in the area. The closure is scheduled to end at 8 p.m., Friday.

The city has blocked off the area — including sidewalks to businesses before the demo site — with caution tape and barrier fence to outline the construction zone, according to an email from Palmer Public Works Deputy Director Greg Wickham.

“Expect heavy traffic in detour streets around the project area,” he cautioned.

Palmer Director of Community Development Sandra Garley said no city permit was needed for the demolition. But, she said Stryken will need a building permit from the city to begin work on the new structure.

Stryken said he’s on the agenda to give the Assembly an update on the project tonight.

He said he’s been on something of a mission to revitalize Palmer since he moved to the Valley in the mid-1980s.

“We want to really lift our town up,” Stryken said.

Contact Heather A. Resz at 352-2268 or heather.resz@frontiersman.com.