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KABATA Threatens HomesEminent domain threats against Government Hill residentsThey say a man's home is his castle, but apparently not so if you live in Government Hill, where residents say the Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority (KABATA) and its proposed bridge is threatening their future. It’s a bridge and highway that would connect Anchorage to the Mat-Su Valley. On one side, some say it would promote economic growth and more access, while those who live in Government Hill say homes and businesses being taken over is just the beginning of events that would destroy their neighborhood. The KABATA plan for Government Hill is not a pretty sight for Stephanie Kesler. “You have this huge freeway going right thru,” said Kesler, who has lived in Government Hill for over 20 years. She says the state authority's decision to build a bridge and highway in Anchorage's oldest neighborhood is already affecting those around her. “There are people who had been identified for right of way who have lived in this neighborhood for over 50 years, multiple generations in these houses, and these people do not want to move.” What she is talking about is phase one of the process that is going on right now where KABATA is making offers to buy properties where the proposed construction will be. If owners don't sell, KABATA can force them to through eminent domain. “We use independent appraisers to go out and look at property,” said Shannon McCarthy of KABATA who says they don't want to use the rule. Which is why they are making “right of way” offers now to make sure property and permits are in place for construction, which, they say, will happen in the next year or two. “Acquiring right of way takes a while as it should because you have to come to an agreement with the owner and you have to talk about relocation.” Representative Les Gara says it's a step in the wrong direction. “Eminent domain is offensive, destroying a neighborhood is offensive,” said Gara (D-Anchorage), who said none of this should be happening because KABATA hasn't even secured funding yet. “This is not a free bridge like they promised two years, but its now a bridge that will probably require upwards of a billion dollars of state money,” said Gara. “The state is going to guarantee the private developer to cover all losses and give them $150 million.” It’s money that KABATA says will be repaid through toll charges. “[The] vast majority of funding for this project will still be private dollars what the $150 million will really serve as a line of credit,” said McCarthy. It's not clear if those dollars are coming through because they are part of current state legislation, which is why residents in Government Hill are telling KABATA to put the bridge somewhere else. “They don't even have a financial plan in place, they do not have funding, they don't even have the bridge planned,” said Kesler. The Government Hill Community Council presented a resolution asking the Knik Arm Crossing to stop all property offers and plans until complete funding is in place. There are bills in the house and senate up for consideration that would secure funding if approved |
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Okay said on Monday, Jan 23 at 11:51 AM
They can build the bridge but the homeowners should receive three times fair market value for their home.... any properties taken under eminent domain will be reimbursed at X's 3 their fair market value... this will cause municipalities to make sure projects are really wanted and will soothe those who are having their very lives ripped away from them by those who are just out to make a profit. Fair is fair right?
80283162Jeremy said on Monday, Jan 23 at 12:22 AM
Honestly just bringing in a 3rd lane on each side going to Anchorage would make a big difference. That combined with a bridge over Eagle River that just goes straight across. This would free up a great deal of traffic, eliminate the fear and problems with Eagle River Hill, and ease the commute for Alaskan's. Two lanes on each side is not nearly enough space for the amount of cars that travel that path each day.
80260292AKAV8TOR said on Friday, Jan 20 at 9:40 PM
These people are going to get FAIR MARKET VALUE for their homes; ie their house PAID OFF for FREE. Look at it as an opportunity to move on to a better life. You will get a NEW house for FREE and move at the governments expense. While nobody supports government eminent domain, you certainly are doing ALOT better than the poverty inflicted housing that envelopes most of GOVT hill housing. Stop complaining and enjoy the fact that your fellow citizens are paying for you to have a NEW HOME! What is your option, being homeless? GET OVER IT!
80188737alaskasleepylady said on Friday, Jan 20 at 11:30 AM
Good for the community Council!!! These kind of strong-arm and intimidation tactics are wrong and people should not have to put up with it. Take the bridge over to the Base and leave private poeple alone is my opinion.
80168488Woodz said on Friday, Jan 20 at 11:29 AM
This is the same scenario that happened in Seattle in 2006. Residents from midtown to seattle center were forced out at pennies on the dollar by an "independent appraiser" for a light rail system that was supposed to be built. Primarily businesses were shuttered. When the project fell through the former owners tried to give the money back and get their properties back. They were then told that the properties were worth much more than that and that they would have to purchase it back at full value. What a scam.
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