Former Mayor Rick Maystrom Addresses Anchorage Assembly on 2025-09-23

Former Mayor Rick Maystrom (1994–2000) addressed the Anchorage Assembly on September 23, 2025, at 6:25 PM. His presentation focused on his six-year tenure, including his goals of making Anchorage safer, cleaner, and more attractive, and his signature initiatives such as the Downtown Partnership, Bridge Builders, and the 'City of Lights and Flowers' campaign. The meeting included a Q&A session where assembly members and attendees asked about vision-setting, homelessness, diversity programs, and neighborhood quality of life.

Presentation by Former Mayor Rick Maystrom

• Leadership and Vision: Maystrom described his philosophy that cities succeed in the 21st century by attracting people through quality of life. He set a goal to make Anchorage a safer, cleaner, more attractive city with more activities, and measured success by whether residents were prouder of the city when he left office.
• Downtown Revitalization: After learning about Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) at a conference of northern mayors, Maystrom led the creation of Anchorage's first BID, which later became the Downtown Partnership. This required over 50% property owner approval and a small property tax increase. He noted that downtown was described as 'dying' in 1994, but the BID helped transform it.
• Crime Reduction: Maystrom initiated a Community Action Plan on Crime (CAP crime) that included removing 9,000 junk cars, graffiti removal within 24 hours, foot and bike patrols, and a new jail. He set a goal of cutting crime in half and achieved a 43% reduction. Anchorage rose from the 50th safest city to the 19th safest among the top 100 U.S. cities, and was second safest in its size category.
• Bridge Builders Program: Maystrom described the creation of Bridge Builders, a cross-cultural friendship program started after a dinner with community leaders. It began with 45 people in his backyard and grew to 450 by the end of his term. The program continues to operate, with a potluck event scheduled for September 27, 2025, at the Spenard Rec Center.
• City of Lights and Flowers: Maystrom promoted winter lighting and summer flower displays to counter the perception of Anchorage as cold and dark. He encouraged residents to leave Christmas lights up until the last Iditarod musher arrived, and the initiative became a community fixture.
• Service Area Expansion: Maystrom recounted the controversial expansion of police service to the Hillside area, which required a citywide vote because of its tax impact. The measure passed, and a judge upheld it as legal.
• Westchester Lagoon and Cuddy Family Park: He shared stories of overruling staff to create the Westchester Lagoon skating area and securing a $300,000 private donation from Dan Cuddy to help create Cuddy Family Midtown Park.

Q&A Session

• Vision-Setting (Claire): Asked who is responsible for the city's vision. Maystrom responded that under Anchorage's strong-mayor charter, it is primarily the mayor's role to articulate a vision and build support by first explaining the problem. He emphasized the importance of a positive, visionary mayor.
• Hillside Service Area (Jane): Maystrom provided background on the service area expansion, noting that 80% of city residents supported it while 20% (the Hillside residents) were intensely opposed. He credited City Attorney Mary Hughes for the legal strategy.
• Sustaining Programs Beyond One Term (John): Maystrom advised that mayors should actively campaign for successors who will continue key programs and prepare transition reports.
• Homelessness (Online question): Maystrom acknowledged he did not have a solution but criticized the current administration for not engaging with the Homeless Commission. He noted that his son resigned from the commission due to lack of communication. He expressed concern that current policies may attract more homeless individuals to Anchorage.
• Diversity and Inclusion (Attendee): Asked about continuing Bridge Builders in a challenging political climate. Maystrom stressed the need for public leaders (mayor, governor) to enthusiastically embrace the program, citing former Governor Bill Walker's support as a successful period.
• Neighborhood Quality of Life (Daryl): Maystrom emphasized the role of community councils in communicating neighborhood issues to the mayor. He gave an example of reducing gravel on subdivision roads to improve safety and aesthetics.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters (Online question): Maystrom shared his personal involvement in founding the Anchorage chapter in 1973, which has since matched an estimated 15,000 mentor-mentee pairs.
• Closing Remarks: Several attendees thanked Maystrom for his positive attitude and lasting influence, including one who noted he still picks up trash inspired by Maystrom's example.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes or decisions were taken. The meeting served as a presentation and Q&A session with the former mayor.