Brief History + Mission + Services Provided + Geographical Area Served + Staff + Board

 

Brief history of organization
Anchorage Community Land Trust (ACLT) was launched in 2003 with a seed grant from the Rasmuson Foundation. The organization was formed to help develop healthy and prosperous communities in Anchorage. ACLT soon decided to target a geographic area of high need – focusing on revitalizing Mountain View.

ACLT acquired key pieces of property to promote positive community development in keeping with the vision of a vibrant arts and culture district – and to improve the quality of life for Mountain View residents. ACLT is committed to long-term, sustainable neighborhood revitalization rooted in community-based efforts. Today, the organization invests in sustainable economic and community development projects that create real opportunity. It has often been said that “a rising tide lifts all boats.” ACLT is part of Mountain View’s rising tide of residents, community organizations and businesses who are coming together to create a vibrant future for this very diverse Anchorage neighborhood.

Mission
Anchorage Community Land Trust strives to “develop healthy and prosperous communities in Anchorage by acquiring, developing and planning for the land and projects necessary to bring about sustainable neighborhood revitalization and economic development.”

As a “hybrid” organization, ACLT works both as a land trust and as a community development organization. The organization leverages public and private resources to acquire and develop properties that are strategic to redevelopment efforts. The goal is to improve the quality of life in the community by addressing issues important to Mountain View residents.

Services provided
ACLT provides services related to their work as a community land trust, like acquiring and developing real estate, providing rental space for area businesses and nonprofits, and land-holding for community benefit. In addition, the Anchorage Community Land Trust is also a community development organization and provides support, oversight, and invests in grass-roots community-based projects.

ACLT also provides outreach efforts to neighborhood groups with the goal of fostering leadership from within the Mountain View neighborhood and ensuring that revitalization efforts are based on residents’ ideas of nurturing the community into the future. As community-based projects evolve and planning efforts move towards implementation, ACLT’s role also evolves. In many instances, ACLT brings people together to support initiatives crucial to continuing the momentum of the revitalization efforts.

You can help support the efforts of ACLT and other Alaska organizations through the Pick Click Give program. Please consider making a donation when you apply for your PFD this January. To learn more about the program, click here.

Geographic area served
The Anchorage Community Land Trust’s priorities and efforts are focused on the Mountain View neighborhood in Anchorage, which is located in the northeast area of the Municipality of Anchorage (Census Tract 6). Mountain View is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in Anchorage. Here, 70 percent of people identify their ethnicity as an ethnicity other than Caucasian, with a significant representation of American Indian/Alaska Native, Hispanic, Black, Pacific Islander, and Asian residents. Most people who live here earn a low income. One of every four people in Mountain View lives in poverty (25 percent). Compare that to one in 15 throughout Anchorage (about 7 percent), and one in 10 nationally (10 percent).

Staff Members
Jewel Jones, Executive Director
Amy Grant, Executive Assistant
Stuart Bannan, Business Development and Real Estate Manager
Kirk Rose, Community Development Director

Board Members
Leslie Ellis, Board Chair
President and CEO of Credit Union 1

Don Crandall, Vice Chair
President of the Mountain View Community Council

F. Steve Mahoney, Treasurer
CPA and Attorney at law, Manley and Brautigam P.C.

Angela C. Jimenez, Secretary
Owner of McKinley Services

George Cannelos, Board Member

James M. Posey, Board Member
General Manager, Municipal Light & Power

Carol Gore, Board Member
President and CEO of Cook Inlet Housing Authority

Kristin English, Board Member
Chief Operating Officer of Cook Inlet Tribal Council

 

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