Extreme makeover: destination Downtown Anchorage: Alaska's largest city is about to change.

• Author: Morgan, Barbara

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Imagine walking outside in downtown Anchorage in the winter and not having to change from your shoes into your boots. How can you do this comfortably and safely?

Some of the sidewalks will no longer be scraped of ice--they will be ice-free with a new heated sidewalk program in central corridors of downtown.

This is only one of the amenities planned in Anchorage's extreme makeover, a plan recently revealed at a Chamber of Commerce luncheon.

One of the goals of the extreme makeover is to make a strong downtown core. Downtown is the heart of any city. If downtown is what visitors see and experience, it's important they have the best experience possible. If downtown is what locals deal with on a regular basis, planners want to enhance that experience.

The Municipality of Anchorage's Office of Economic & Community Development is working on making a strong downtown center even stronger. It is making it a priority for downtown Anchorage to reach its potential. In the words of Mary Jane Michael, executive director, they are encouraging investment. Her office coordinates efforts and plans from businesses and developers. It supports a good infrastructure, with a central business district plan and a core street plan.

In the midst of coordinating and making it happen, a theme has emerged called Extreme Makeover or Destination Downtown. Extreme, because the Municipality doesn't want the usual, the regular, the mundane; it wants features so that Anchorage will stand out, which will impress others and make locals proud of the town that achieved All American City status. Planners want a town that is known for its beautiful flowers. They want outstanding amenities. They want people to enjoy our Big Wild Life in Anchorage, a town that boasts midnight sun, salmon, wildlife, art, nature and beauty.

Some of the features Alaskans and visitors can look forward to are ice-free sidewalks for pedestrians. A downtown with a better view. And a warmer visitor-friendly climate. The economic impact will only be one of the many benefits.

SALMON IN THE CITY

Ship Creek has its own renovation plans with a theme of Salmon in the City. According to statistics, Ship Creek is the third-largest sport fishery in the state, with a $7.3 million economic impact.

The Alaska Railroad expansion project includes an intermodal transportation center to connect air, marine, bus, rail, taxi, public transit, bicycles, pedestrians, and private vehicles. The emphasis will...