Latest news with #KeithMcCormick
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Early proposal for homeless parking area in South Anchorage gets backlash from nearby businesses
May 30—The Municipality of Anchorage is pursuing a plan to allow around 50 vehicles to park overnight on two pieces of municipal land. The measure, referred to as "designated parking" by members of Mayor Suzanne LaFrance's administration, is one of several efforts to make new shelter options available for homeless people in the city. Though officials are still in the early stages of the process, one of the city-owned parcels that is a candidate for the vehicle parking site is in South Anchorage, close to several large businesses. This week, rumors about the plan spread on social media sites like Facebook and Nextdoor. By Wednesday, one of the two Assembly members representing South Anchorage was posting to social media about the proposal, referring to it both as a "homeless camp" and "a car camping site." "I learned the same way everybody else did," said Assembly member Keith McCormick on Thursday, explaining he first heard about the nascent proposal through a Facebook post by a local towing company that was widely shared. "I got dozens of emails, phone calls on my personal phone." The potential "designated parking" site in South Anchorage is municipal land, an easement running down what is technically a section of Cordova Street between 104th and 106th avenues and behind a large Bass Pro Shop that many people still refer to as Cabela's, which it used to be before the two companies merged. The administration has not identified other specific locations, but an information sheet prepared by city officials said they are considering "up to two areas for overnight parking" that could host up to 25 vehicles each. The idea from the LaFrance administration is to create a secure place for homeless people living in their cars, trucks or RVs to stay overnight, rather than guiding them into congregate shelters or having them skirt rules by parking on residential streets or big store parking lots. "This is intended to reduce illegal and unsafe car camping and the impact of unmanaged vehicles in residential and public areas during the summer months. It is a seasonal public health and safety measure to help prevent people from parking in unsafe, unauthorized, or high-traffic locations," according to a statement from the mayor's office. The administration said that alongside the new overnight parking areas, they will ramp up police enforcement "against prohibited vehicular camping everywhere else in the Municipality," and plan to introduce an ordinance to the Assembly that would let the municipality impound "any vehicle used for camping outside of designated parking." [Large homeless camp in Davis Park will be cleared in mid-June, Anchorage mayor says] During Mayor Dave Bronson's tenure, members of his administration worked with the Assembly on examining the potential of sanctioning overnight vehicle parking in a controlled environment as a tactic for managing homelessness. Though the plans never came to fruition, an ordinance submitted by the Bronson administration in 2024 and approved by the Assembly that spring tightened prohibitions on homeless encampments and included provisions on permitting "designated safe parking areas." "In recognition of the need for temporary housing for homeless persons living in vehicles, it is the purpose of this section to allow religious, non-profit, and governmental organizations to use property owned or controlled by them as designated safe parking areas, while preventing harmful effects associated with such uses, including crime or public nuisance," the ordinance states. The LaFrance administration pursued the idea. In a document it sent to the Assembly this spring, the administration included a brief description of the "designated parking" plan that was forming. "Vehicles must be roadworthy, and residents must have a valid driver's license. The site will be operated by a contractor who can offer security and facilities including bathrooms and showers," according to the document, titled "Turning the Tide." In a May 21 presentation to the Assembly's Housing and Homelessness Committee, Thea Agnew Bemben, a special assistant to the mayor, told members the administration hopes to have the Anchorage Health Department put out a Request For Proposal, or RFP, early this summer. The city aims to contract out services running the "designated parking" site, enforcing rules, managing the property and making sure occupants have their vehicle registration in order. Many of the operational details involved in the plan will be determined as a contractor is selected and protocols are implemented. According to the city's information sheet, parking will only be allowed overnight, with all vehicles required to leave by 8 a.m. Garbage disposal and bathrooms will be on site. At least two "safety monitors" will be present to ensure rules are followed, and outreach teams will go to the locations to "connect participants to housing, job training, and health care." The program will end in the fall before the weather gets cold. "This will not be a permanent location. Sleeping in vehicles is not safe in the winter, so designated parking will not be available after October. Designated parking is meant to be a temporary, cost-effective way to supplement Anchorage's shelter safety net during the summer," according to the administration. Though the city already has the money it would need to stand up the program, Bemben said the Assembly and public will have a chance to weigh in when the RFP and operations contract come before them. The information was shared by the mayor's office in a public meeting of the Assembly's Housing and Homelessness Committee last week. McCormick, who is vice chair of the committee, did not attend the meeting because of a work conflict. He said the mayor's office did not reach out to the South Anchorage Assembly members to give them a heads-up that the easement on Cordova Street was being looked at. On Thursday, he said he learned about the proposed site from a social media post by Vulcan Towing and Recovery, which leases a sizable vehicle lot running alongside the municipal easement. "Letting everybody know in South Anchorage that this is coming to our neighborhood. Please share this post on all social media sites," wrote Vulcan's owner, Justin Creech, on his Facebook page. "This location they have selected for a homeless camp will be directly next to Cabela's and target off of C St. It is directly next-door to my lot." Vulcan Towing and Recovery did not immediately respond to an email requesting to speak with Creech. A few other individuals with business connections in the area also weighed in online, criticizing efforts to establish homelessness resources in South Anchorage and accusing the mayor's office and Assembly of trying to sneak the policy through. Informal car camps have been a significant issue for the municipality in recent years. A sprawling encampment with a mix of tents and vehicles on Fairbanks Street last year saw a shooting death, widespread drug use, piles of garbage and violence before it was cleared. The year prior, close to 100 vehicles gradually amassed at an enormous encampment around Third Avenue and Ingra Street, including box trucks and dilapidated city buses being rented out to people to sleep in. Many of the people living in cars, trucks, and RVs say they are one of the few safe places for them to stay, store their belongings and shelter from weather, even if the vehicles don't run. In a video he posted to social media, McCormick said he has reservations about the proposal because of its potential impacts on businesses. "We've got Cabela's, (for) all the dads, all the guys, and outdoor ladies here in town. We got Target next door. Huge shopping area," McCormick said in the video. "This is one of the mainstay shopping spots that they just built for South Anchorage. Smashburger. Starbucks. Orangetheory. Yogas, Pilates. Like, this is the happening place to be." In a later interview, McCormick said his other concern is about the "scatter shelter model" of dispersing smaller facilities all around town that are more specifically tailored to the needs of different subgroups of people without permanent homes. "When we spread them out to every reach of our city, we can't get them the services they truly need ... I think we need to consolidate our resources," McCormick said by phone. Another worry he has is that after vehicles leave the designated parking area, they will be driven to lots belonging to nearby stores to wait out the day. "This is the central area for shopping, where moms go to buy diapers at Target," he said. "We're creating an unfriendly business environment in the center of South Anchorage's new shopping area." Farina Brown, a special assistant to LaFrance focused on housing and homelessness, said Thursday that the administration is "very excited to move forward with designated parking," and expects its RFP to be ready in early June, with the aim of having two sites available in July.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Anchorage Assembly candidate Q&A: Keith McCormick
Mar. 17—The Anchorage Daily News asked candidates for Anchorage Assembly to answer a series of issue questions. Read all of them here. Name: Keith McCormick — District: 6 — Age: 33 — Occupation: Physician Assistant — Website: Candidate background: Anchorage has been home to my family for three generations. I grew up in Oceanview, spending my time outside fishing and exploring the outdoors. After graduating from South High, I enlisted in the Marine Corps Infantry, serving over five years with multiple deployments overseas. When my service ended, my wife and I returned to South Anchorage with our eldest son, ready to build a future in the community that shaped us. I worked as an EMT in Whittier before deploying again as a private military contractor in Iraq and Afghanistan. I later founded a successful software company, earning recognition as Alaska's Entrepreneur of the Year. After years of service in high-pressure environments, I pursued a Doctorate in Medical Science, and now work as a Physician Assistant in pediatric psychiatry. Why are you running for the Anchorage Assembly, and what makes you qualified for the job? I'm running because Anchorage is my home, and I want to ensure it remains a place where families can thrive. As a Marine Corps veteran and medical professional, I've dedicated my life to serving my community. Now I want to bring that same commitment to local government. We need common-sense solutions that prioritize fiscal responsibility, public safety and a strong local economy. I've spent my career in high-pressure environments, making tough decisions and leading teams through complex problems. I believe that my experience, combined with my deep roots in this community, will help me serve South Anchorage effectively. I'm not a politician — I'm a problem solver, and I'm ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work for our city. What is the most important problem facing Anchorage? How would you address it? Anchorage's most pressing issue is the worsening homelessness crisis — one that continues to drain taxpayer dollars without delivering meaningful results. Despite millions spent, encampments are expanding, crime and drug use are rising, and public spaces like trails, parks and neighborhoods are becoming unsafe for families. This isn't just a funding problem — it's a failure of strategy. We need a results-driven approach that prioritizes both accountability and compassion. That means expanding access to mental health treatment, substance abuse recovery and job training for those willing to work toward stability. At the same time, we must enforce trespassing laws and crack down on illegal activity to protect public safety. Simply increasing spending without measuring outcomes isn't a solution. Anchorage deserves policies that actually reduce homelessness, restore public spaces and make our city safer for everyone. Please give a letter grade, A-F, for Mayor Suzanne LaFrance's performance as mayor. Explain. Assign a letter grade assumes leadership can be boiled down to a simple scale, but governance is about whether policies are working. Mayor LaFrance has kept city operations running and has engaged with residents, which is important. However, her leadership has mostly followed the Assembly majority, reinforcing existing priorities instead of pushing for new solutions. Transparency and accountability have been ongoing concerns, particularly regarding homelessness services, where increased funding has yet to show real results. Public safety remains a major issue — crime persists, pedestrian fatalities have risen. All while property taxes keep going up, yet residents aren't seeing meaningful improvements. Leadership isn't just about maintaining stability; it's about ensuring government delivers tangible benefits to the people who pay for it. The city needs leadership that values accountability, welcomes diverse viewpoints, and measures policies by their results, not just their intentions. Please give a letter grade, A-F, for the performance of the current Assembly. Explain. The real question is whether the Assembly's actions are making Anchorage safer, more stable and more prosperous. So far, the results don't reflect the record spending. Despite major investments, homelessness has gotten worse. Camps are more visible than ever, and the city's approach hasn't led to meaningful change. Public safety is a growing concern — encampments, crime and fire risks are on the rise, making many neighborhoods less safe. The Assembly has leaned heavily on tax increases — including discussions of a sales tax — rather than evaluating whether current spending is working. This approach places more burden on families and businesses. Effective leadership isn't just about allocating more money; it's about making sure it's being used effectively. Anchorage needs leadership that prioritizes accountability, asks tougher questions and ensures policies actually improve outcomes without creating unnecessary burdens. What's your vision for improving and diversifying Anchorage's economy? Anchorage's economy should be built on opportunity, not obstacles. Right now, overly complex permitting, contradictory development rules, and excessive regulations are discouraging investment and pushing developers and entrepreneurs elsewhere. If we want to solve our housing shortage and attract new businesses, we need to streamline these processes, eliminate unnecessary barriers, and make Anchorage a place where innovation and growth are encouraged—not hindered. Anchorage should be seen as a destination for investment, not a place to avoid. A predictable, business-friendly environment will attract new industries, support small businesses, and create quality jobs that keep young professionals here instead of looking elsewhere. By prioritizing smart, strategic growth, we can diversify our economy, strengthen long-term stability, and build a thriving, resilient community for future generations. What other important issue would you like to discuss? Anchorage's Hillside faces a growing wildfire threat due to dense fuels, beetle-killed spruce and increasingly dry summer conditions. Despite multiple close calls, the community remains at risk of a catastrophic fire. Addressing this danger requires proactive mitigation strategies, including expanding community Firewise programs, accelerating dead vegetation clearing and improving evacuation planning. Emergency access routes must be strengthened, and firefighters need specialized training and resources tailored to wildland-urban fire threats. Wildfire prevention isn't just a government issue — it's a shared responsibility. City leaders must work closely with residents to implement effective mitigation efforts that protect homes, families and neighborhoods before disaster strikes.
