Anchorage Mayor Suzanne LaFrance began her term on July 1,2024,after representing south Anchorage for six years on the Anchorage Assembly and unseating former mayor Dave Bronson.
Upon completing her first year as mayor, LaFrance sat down with Alaska Public Media’s Wesley Early to discuss some of her accomplishments, the city’s response to homelessness, goals for increasing the city’s housing supply and ongoing public safety concerns.
This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Wesley Early: You began serving as mayor a year ago.What would you say is your single biggest accomplishment so far?
Suzanne LaFrance: Well, since we’ve been here at work for the last year, we’ve been really focused on fixing what’s broken at the municipality and at the same time building a strong foundation for our community’s future. And so I feel really proud of the fact that, for example, the prosecutor’s department has been fully rebuilt and is 100% staffed, and we are on track to have zero speedy trial dismissals. we also have our finances under control.And when we came in, we didn’t know how much money we had, and the books were really behind. And as the teams have got us caught up, they’ve also made it a more efficient and streamlined process. So there are a lot of good government accomplishments that will really serve us well as we move into this next year.
WE: And what would you say has been your one greatest challenge?
SL: Well,you know,we have worked hard to develop partnerships,and we really need partnerships with the federal government,with the state,with providers in our community,because otherwise taxpayers end up,you know,footing the bill for everything. And so I’m really happy about the partnership that we’ve developed with DOT (Department of Transportation), for example. But you know, as we move forward, developing more of those partnerships, because we are resource constrained, those partnerships will be key.
WE: So I’d like to talk a little about homelessness. Your governance adopted a Housing First model aimed at clearing camps and moving people into shelter and ideally into housing. What would you say to people who feel like not enough has been done, despite millions of dollars being spent?
SL: Well, I would say that, you know, we have abated 28 camps, and we just recently abated Davis (Park) and the snow dump, and that was a particularly entrenched camp that had been there for years.And when we started the abatement, there were maybe about 100 people there. And we saw 50 people go into shelter housing, another two people go into treatment. There was a group that moved from that camp downtown, and then when the police went and told them, “Hey, you can’t be here. This is a space that’s already been abated,” seven or more of those individuals also went into housing or shelter. And so what we see with, you know, taking this focus on abatement, when camps become perilous for the people who live there, dangerous for the people who live nearby, it creates positive movement. Because at the same time, we have been committed to setting up that, you know, basic public safety service net, and so there are shelter options available and housing and we work hard to connect people to the services they need.
WE: And what would you say success at addressing homelessness will look like to you?
SL: Well, it means fewer people sleeping on the streets. It means continuing to have that year round public safety net for individuals.It means we’ve got partnerships with folks who provide services so that we can connect people to what they need. and it means that our public spaces are safe and healthy and accessible to everyone.
WE: Your administration has said that many people who the city clear from an encampment end up just camping somewhere else.And even if you criminalize homeless camping in some situationSL: Well, we have been focusing on public safety. I believe that is the most notable job of our municipal government.And you know,have listened when people have said,you know,”I don’t feel safe downtown,” or wherever and like on our trails and in our parks. And so we have focused on addressing homelessness,staffing up the police department. We have seen a high vacancy rate with our sworn officers, but I’m happy to say that trend is reversing, and our current police academy is full for the first time in like five years. We are also bringing on 19 community service officers, which the chief calls “cops without guns in trucks,” and who can take some of the load off of the sworn officers. You know, sometimes sworn officers, when they’re responding to like a traffic accident, they have to wait around for a tow truck. Or there are things that non sworn officers can do.So we have a very sharp focus on public safety, because I believe that that’s a big part of quality of life, is feeling safe in your community and ensuring that your public spaces are healthy and accessible for everyone. And then, of course, there are lots of other things, I think, too, with developing more trails and parks and ensuring that the community is a good place to do business. You know, we love all the different restaurants we have here, and we’re working closely with the Performing Arts Center director to ensure that we’ll be able to resume shows and because I know that’s a big part of quality of life for people, and it starts with a good foundation, and it starts with people feeling safe and also ensuring that they can afford to live here besides wanting to live here. So affordability is a piece of that, too, that we’re focused on.
SL: Yeah that’s one that felt really imminent during some of those cold snaps this winter. And there were, you know, a lot of concerns and about, you know what will happen if it runs out and certainly, affordability is an issue.My administration is engaged with other mayors in looking at ways where we can support projects. I mean, locally here at the municipality, we’re pursuing waste-to-energy as a potential project and pump storage hydro, and continue to explore ways that we can supplement with green energy. But I know with some of the developments, like over this winter, it doesn’t feel quite as ominous, right, but it’s still something that we’re engaged with and looking at, you know, how can we help. How can we be part of a positive messaging around taking action for the future too? Because, I mean again, affordability-wise, it seems quite certain that costs are going to go up.
SL: Well, we just went through the public procurement process to hi
Anchorage Mayor Addresses Concerns & Outlines Future Vision
The city of Anchorage operates under a clear division of duty between local and federal law enforcement. Municipal authorities focus on upholding city and state laws, while federal agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operate under their own jurisdiction and mandates. This delineation ensures a focused approach to law enforcement within the community. [[1]]
Balancing Public Safety and Community Values
recent criticisms from immigration advocacy groups regarding immigration-related arrests within the city are a source of frustration for local leadership. The primary concerns facing Anchorage currently revolve around public safety, specifically addressing the influx of dangerous narcotics and violent crime. A recent crime suppression initiative yielded the seizure of over three pounds of fentanyl, highlighting the urgent need for federal resources to be directed towards these critical issues. [[1]]
The Mayor emphasizes that Anchorage is not experiencing issues related to unauthorized immigration; in fact, the city is actively seeking to attract new residents to bolster its workforce and celebrate its diverse cultural landscape. Alaska’s unique history is built on stories of immigration, and the community values the contributions of individuals from all backgrounds. Focusing federal enforcement efforts on drug trafficking and violent crime would be a more effective use of resources, aligning with the city’s immediate needs.
Priorities for the Remaining Term
With two years remaining in office, the Mayor has identified two key priorities: bolstering public safety and addressing homelessness, alongside fostering robust economic development. Significant progress is expected in reducing the number of individuals experiencing homelessness and expanding access to essential services.
Economic Growth and Development
Anchorage is experiencing a period of positive economic momentum, with several key projects underway. The new RV Resort on Third Avenue, for example, will provide over 135 RV spaces, alongside recreational amenities like pickleball courts and community gardens.Phase two of the project will include much-needed workforce housing and a commemorative space honoring the former Alaska Native hospital that once stood on the site. [[1]]
Recent business openings, including a new hotel creating over 100 jobs and a modern car wash, demonstrate the city’s growing appeal. The Northlink cargo project, facilitated by a tax abatement, is projected to generate approximately 400 jobs, further stimulating economic growth.
A central focus remains on addressing the housing shortage.Anchorage is committed to an enterprising goal of constructing 10,000 new homes, recognizing that accessible housing is fundamental to the city’s long-term prosperity and attracting a skilled workforce. These developments signal a positive trajectory for Anchorage’s future, driven by investment, innovation, and a commitment to community well-being.