Anchorage Mayor Suzanne LaFrance’s administration has found a new use for the Sprung Structure, a massive heavy-duty tent previously intended for Alaska’s homeless navigation center. The structure will now be part of the Port of Alaska Modernization Project.
Anchorage Municipal Manager Becky Windt Pearson confirmed that the administration has been brainstorming ways to utilize the Sprung Structure since taking office. “We did a comprehensive internal process to surface ideas from different departments within the municipality to put that structure to good use,” she explained.
Former Mayor Dave Bronson had purchased the structure for Alaska’s homeless navigation center, but Assembly members rejected the proposal twice due to funding concerns and project disagreements. Bronson emphasized the need for shelter solutions, stating, “We’ve got 500 to 700 homeless people – some need shelter. They’re not ready for housing or apartments. They need shelter, especially with the coming cold weather.”
Taxpayers shell out around $5,000 monthly to store the Sprung Structure in undisclosed locations in the Lower 48 and Eagle River. Assembly member Felix Rivera estimated shipping costs to Anchorage to be $240,000.
Windt Pearson withheld financial details and timelines for now, promising her administration would release more information soon. She noted that the general government fund would cover shipping costs, as it separately funds the port.
The LaFrance administration has been working on addressing homelessness in Anchorage. Recently, they announced plans to open 500 emergency winter shelter beds in late October, prioritizing non-congregate shelter options like hotel rooms.
This news story was originally published by Alaska News Source.
