Anchorage Daily News
(Published: February 4, 2004)
Those who opposed the city accepting a $450,000 private grant to study extending the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail said it's a waste of money, especially when the city has more pressing needs.
But the Anchorage Assembly voted 7-3 Tuesday night to accept the grant from the Rasmuson Foundation for environmental and route studies of the proposed trail extension.
"These arguments are not well founded," Assemblyman Allan Tesche said of the opposition. "What we really have is people who just don't want the trail."
Nine people who spoke at the public hearing Tuesday didn't want the Assembly to accept the money. Six others supported the idea.
The studies will examine the likely costs of extending the trail as well as its environmental impacts on neighborhoods and the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge. But accepting the grant doesn't mean the trail is a done deal, some Assembly members said.
"We have no choice but to complete this EIS (environmental impact statement)," Assembly Chairman Dick Traini said.
"If I approve this today it doesn't mean I'll approve the trail," he said. "There's a difference in voting for the EIS and voting for the trail."
Jack Hession, a Hillside resident, urged the Assembly to accept the "generous contribution."
"I think this process deserves to be finished," he said. "It's essential for an informed final decision."
Other trail proponents said the trail extension is well-supported and would be a great asset for the city.
Robin Smith, who owns a house on the bluff near the proposed trail extension, said she sometimes wonders why she supports the trail.
"I don't need to. I've got the view. Why should I share it?" Smith said.
"I think what it boils down to, it shouldn't just be for me. All people in Anchorage should have that opportunity."
Linda Mattes Golding, who owns property that abuts the proposed trail, said she was upset because it seemed like the mayor had decided that the trail will go through, no matter what.
The city is strapped for funding safety issues, but the mayor has worked "to get funding for what I consider to be a pet project," she said.
Late last year, Mayor Mark Begich secured the grant to complete a federal study of the trail's environmental impact. The state turned over the environmental and route studies to the city.
Wil Bline, a 40-year Anchorage resident, said that the issue pits neighbors against each other and that the city lacks the money to build the trail after the study is done.
"This is not a public service project; it's just for a few people," he said.
Opponent Don Smith said, "Trails are fine when you can afford them, but when you have hungry kids in town that aren't eating every day, I think a trail could wait."
Assemblywoman Janice Shamberg said, "If we could use this money for something else I'd feed hungry children."
The Rasmuson grant is earmarked specifically for the study.
The existing coastal trail runs 11 miles from downtown to Kincaid Park. If built, the trail would extend another 13 miles along Turnagain Arm to Potter Marsh.
The controversial project stalled because of a lack of money and agreement between the state and city. A draft environmental study was finished a year ago, and several opponents on Tuesday questioned why another study was needed.
Assembly members Anna Fairclough, Dan Kendall and Dan Sullivan opposed accepting the money for the study. Melinda Taylor was absent.
Daily News reporter Anne Aurand can be reached at aaurand@adn.com or 257-4591.
Copyright © 2004 The Anchorage Daily News