New Housing Opportunities On The Way In Glennallen
The Aspen Trail. Photo by Allison Sayer
Mica Hutchison - CRR Staff
The Copper River Basin Regional Housing Authority has purchased the former campus of Alaska Bible College in Glennallen. Plans include expanding housing opportunities for the community.
The 89-acre site passed from the federal government to Alaska Bible College under a 1959 land grant. A clause required the land revert to federal ownership should it no longer be used for religious or public purposes, complicating sale of property after Alaska Bible College relocated to Palmer. In 2015, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski introduced legislation releasing the land from the clause, clearing the way for sale.
Copper River Basin Regional Housing Authority purchased the property using a combination of funding from the Indian Housing Block Grant Program and non-program funds. President and CEO Teri Nutter said CRBRHA purchased the land in order to have a presence in Glennallen and to make additional housing available to the community. “We have a vision of continuing to keep it as much of a community-focused campus as we can,” said Nutter. Part of the Aspen Interpretive Trail runs through the property, providing an easy stroll through the spruce forest and a popular lunchstop. Concerning the portion on the campus, Nutter said, “We’ll try as much as we can to preserve the trail system.”
Interpretive sign along the Aspen Trail. Photo by Allison Sayer
The CRBRHA completed a survey of housing needs among tribal constituents, and existing infrastructure is being evaluated for needed renovations. Taking over a property with complex infrastructure is no easy feat, and Nutter credits Milt Peters for getting them through challenging situations over the winter.
Peters provided maintenance for the Alaska Bible College, and she expressed praise for his work. “He did an amazing job maintaining and operating the campus on a shoestring budget.” With CRBRHA taking over the property, Nutter said, “He shared his knowledge with us, and he’s willing to continue to be involved as needed, so we certainly appreciate that.”
The Murdock Center is being updated with new lighting, carpet, and fitness equipment, and the facility will continue to be available as a fitness center, gymnasium, and place for people to gather. Improvements also aim to reduce operating costs.
The housing authority is evaluating the possibility of converting Joy Hall into housing units. The building may be replaced if that is not feasible. Plans are not in place for use of the library, but the building will need foundation repair. Existing rental units need to be updated or replaced, and the existing laundry facility will be preserved for residents of the campus.
Funding for building projects will come from a mixture of federal grants and CRBRHA funds, and construction is set to begin this summer. Current plans for development will take three to four years to complete. Nutter envisioned their plans for the campus saying, “We’re going to continue to look at developing it and seeing what other opportunities that we can bring to the region for addressing the housing shortage out here, and I think that’s a good start.”
