Advocacy

The Anchorage Downtown Partnership is here to work for you.

Our goal is to help ensure that downtown Anchorage is not only a place to build and sustain thriving local businesses, but also that it remains clean, safe, vital, and a world-class neighborhood that instills awe in visitors and pride in those lucky enough to call our city home.

Our priorities are guided by our members. This year, we are focused on advocating for solutions to address homelessness and increase public safety in downtown, and asking for new public investments into downtown facilities and infrastructure. We engage regularly with city and community leaders to share our members’ top issues, and speak with one voice for downtown. 

 

Want to get involved?

Your voice is important. Here are some ways you can help influence outcomes and determine the future of our downtown: 

  • Downtown Community Council: The Downtown Community Council is open to the public – if you are a resident, business owner, or property owner downtown, you’re already a member! The Downtown Community Council meets on the first Wednesday of every other month, at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.
  • Join Our Mailing Lists: Join our mailing list and follow us on social media to stay updated about current downtown projects, learn about new businesses opening downtown, and share your thoughts with ADP. If you are a current member who is not on our membership mailing list, reach out to us with your email so that we can add you – our membership mailing list provides updates on municipal actions, legislation relevant to downtown, business and development news, and more. 
  • Attend Meetings: ADP hosts meetings throughout the year for downtown stakeholders and local and state leaders. Upcoming meetings include a regular meeting on public safety with the Mayor’s Office, open to downtown business owners. For the date, time, and location of this meeting and to RSVP, please email Radhika@anchoragedowntown.org. 

 

Downtown Projects:

There are lots of public projects in progress downtown. ADP meets with project teams throughout the year to provide input and connect them to downtown businesses and stakeholders. Follow the links below to see draft designs and reach out to ADP or the project teams to learn more and provide input:

  • Town Square Park: A Town Square Park reconstruction will take place in 2026.
  • Peratrovich Park: Peratrovich Park improvements will take place in 2026.
  • Ship Creek to Coastal Trail Connection: The downtown trail connection is fully funded and construction is slated for 2026.
  • 4th Ave. Signals and Lighting Upgrades and Sidewalk Reconstruction: L to G St. will be constructed beginning in 2027. G to E St. will be constructed in 2030.
  • Downtown Pedestrian Wayfinding: Draft designs were presented at the May 2025 Downtown Community Council meeting, with installation slated for fall 2026.
  • Downtown Library Branch: The Anchorage Library Foundation and Municipality of Anchorage are working to establish a downtown library branch. The preferred site is undergoing a structural assessment and cost estimates are being developed.
  • Downtown Streets Engineering Study: This project is currently underway. Implementation options (such as converting one-way streets to two-way) along with preliminary cost estimates are viewable on the project page.

 

How We’re Advocating for Downtown:

Here are some of the projects and issues that we’re currently engaged in, and the results this work has had for downtown:

  • Homelessness and Public Safety: Homelessness and public safety are the top issues for downtown property and business owners, and for those who live, work, and play downtown. Read our letter to city leaders advocating for action on homelessness and public safety, and asking for major public investments in downtown. In 2024, ADP has also written in support of AO 2024-26 – read our letter here. We participate on a business coalition convened by the Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness, engage the Mayor’s Office and Assembly on homelessness and public safety, and advocate for greater APD presence downtown, a solution to downtown’s lack of public restrooms, and enforcement of illegal behavior in public spaces. 
  • Advocating for the Future of Downtown: ADP participates in all of the planning processes for downtown public projects. We also advocate for new investment to downtown, including by advocating for the 2025 Parks Bond, which resulted in $3.1 million in new funding for Town Square and Peratrovich Parks.
  • Supporting Small Businesses: Read our May 2025 letter in support of the proposed increase to the business personal property tax exemption, which passed on May 20, 2025.

 

Have Questions?

Reach out to us to get involved, get connected, and help shape the future of downtown.