Dear Downtown Business Owners,
 
This winter the Muni is working to light up downtown. Lights help make downtown safer and more welcoming. You’ve all seen the wonderful mushing district arch go up. ACDA is going to be installing some large snowflake lights along 4^th Ave soon. And we’re also looking to brighten up Town Square.

We’d love your help! As you may have noticed, the Alaska building at 4^th and G recently received a permit to hang string lights from their building to the light poles. We’re hoping to make it as easy as possible for everyone else to do something similar. To that end, the Mayor has directed staff to streamline the permitting process and waive fees for any downtown business that wants to hang lights over the sidewalk.
 
So if you’d like to hang lights over your sidewalk, please fill out the sidewalk encroachment permit here and send it to MOAROWrequests@muni.org and cc me: graham.downey@anchorageak.gov.
 
Here’s some tips:

1. Make sure the lights are at least 8’ above the sidewalk so they don’t create a safety hazard.
2. Lights can only go over the sidewalk. They shouldn’t go over alleys, roads, or parking areas.
3. This only applies Downtown, for now.
4. Be gentle with our aging light-poles. Don’t attach anything heavier than string lights.
5. Plan to connect to your own power, not the streetlights. (If you absolutely need to connect to Muni power, reach out and we can try to find a solution.)
6. Most of the form should be easy to understand. The one confusing part might be “type of appurtenance” for which you should choose: “Other: holiday lights.”
7. Include a basic diagram showing how you plan to string the lights. Include how may strings of lights, the type of lights, and how the lights will be attached to the pole, the power source. You don’t need to put up a sign board.
8. You’ll need liability insurance that lists the Municipality of Anchorage.
9. Remember: there’s no fee!

If you have any questions or concerns, you can call the Right-of-Way enforcement department at 907-343-8240 or you can reach my desk at 907-343-6143.
 
We hope you’re as excited as we are for more lights. Please share this opportunity with others who might be interested. And thank you for everything you’re doing to make downtown a great place.