Free Land in Anderson, Alaska (closing, subdivision, restaurant)

[arctichomesteader]

I think all the rules and restrictions they put on it (such as minimum house size) were one reason it was doomed to failure. Not allowing small cabins was a bad idea.

[starlite9]

Drove through there this morning, there is only about four houses that have been built. Couple lots had some starter work done, but clearly not going to be finished to meet the requirements. Even one of the done houses was for sale.

Would pretty much say it was a flop of sorts, they did get a couple though. The rest of lots are suppost to be sold for some ten grand for a bit over an acre, not a great deal for a place with very little going on.

[eolsonstearns]

Interested! Let me know who to contact to be a part of this great deal! THANKS! E

[warptman]

Originally Posted by eolsonstearns

Interested! Let me know who to contact to be a part of this great deal! THANKS! E

Just fly up here and start working, Anderson is booming....

[bignebula]

Originally Posted by eolsonstearns

Interested! Let me know who to contact to be a part of this great deal! THANKS! E

obviously, you didnt read all the posts. just reading the last 3 or 4 wouldve anwsered your question.

[starlite9]

Just saw this in the paper....

newsminer.com • Anderson land giveaway nets poor results

[fishguy454]

Why do many assume they did it to increase their tax base? There are NO property or sales taxes in Anderson. If you go back and read the original stories, the purpose of the giveaway was to increase the population of the town and the school.

[starlite9]

Originally Posted by fishguy454

Why do many assume they did it to increase their tax base? There are NO property or sales taxes in Anderson. If you go back and read the original stories, the purpose of the giveaway was to increase the population of the town and the school.

They don't have property taxes, they do have sales tax @3%. Which is brought in on any sales in the city.. Fuel/heating oil, gas (when it was sold there) the Drewdrop Inn pays it on the food and drinks to the city, when you buy a car, cell phone monthly charges, telephone bills and the list goes on...

The school system gets about $9,500.00+- per student for the school year. When they lose half a dozen to graduation with no new ones coming up the ranks, it really hurts the school's budget. The land giveaway was to bring families to the area with kids, it was pretty much a flop, there are a few but not enough. Most of the class graduations are with about six to ten seniors each year...

[DannyL]

Originally Posted by starlite9

They don't have property taxes,


The school system gets about $9,500.00+- per student for the school year. .


...

Thank you for answering my question, that's why I asked it before saying anything. At first I thought it was about the tax base.....well it kinda is, but not like I thought.
This was just mis-handled from the beginning.
They should at least alowed trailers (new) for the first 48 months, but limit size ( 12 x 60 perhaps....) and required a CD deposit of at least 10 grand to show ability to "get started".

[Floyd_Davidson]

Originally Posted by DannyL

This was just mis-handled from the beginning.
They should at least alowed trailers (new) for the first 48 months, but limit size ( 12 x 60 perhaps....) and required a CD deposit of at least 10 grand to show ability to "get started".

Your assessment that it was mishandled is probably (okay, certainly) correct; but not for the reasons you cite.

Consider that according to the census figures Anderson had about twice as many residents some 20 years ago. People have been leaving, and it isn't because they can't own property there! They have no jobs.

Anything intended to bring in more people necessarily has to be based on increasing employment opportunities. And since the entire "free land" boondoggle did nothing towards that end, it should have been seen as clearly doomed to start with.