City Offers Shuttle Service To Downtown Workers: Ship Creek Shuttle To Run From 3rd Avenue Lots Throughout Downtown

In an effort to relieve some of the parking pressure downtown, the Municipality of Anchorage, through the Anchorage Community Development Authority, will start free shuttle service from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays aimed at helping the downtown workforce find parking and get to work on time.

Beginning March 1, the Ship Creek Shuttle will run every 17 to 20 minutes from two stops off the parking lots on 3rd Avenue between A and E Streets. The shuttle service will free and available to any downtown commuter. It will stop at designated locations near the Bus Transit Terminal, City Hall, ConocoPhillips and the Atwood Building.

"We recognize the pressure to find long-term parking has increased recently in the downtown area," Mayor Begich said. "I am asking people to be patient during this high-construction period. We will continue to look for ways to ease the parking challenge as we work on projects that will ultimately enhance downtown."

The search for a long-term parking space became more challenging recently when the State of Alaska broke ground on a new parking garage at 7th and F Streets, across from the Atwood Building. State workers who parked on that lot have been moved to other municipal parking garages, and the number of overall parking spaces available to the work force is limited. Construction of the new Dena'ina Civic and Convention Center has also added to the parking pressure.

The situation will be greatly improved in August 2008 when the new 834 space garage opens up, providing space for all of the State workers and others needing long-term parking.

To further meet the need of downtown workers, the city closed the 6th Avenue parking garage to public, hourly parking from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays beginning February 20. However, the 6th and 7th avenue garages will both remain open to public parking on weeknights after 6 p.m. and 24-hours-a-day on weekends.

Beginning March 1, downtown workers are encouraged to use the surface lots along 3rd Avenue and take advantage of the free shuttle service. There are also on-street parking spaces available from 7th Ave. to 9th Ave. and from I St. to M. St. For permit price information, routes, or other parking-related questions, go to www.anchorageparking.com or call 276-PARK (7275).

Media Contact: Julie Hasquet
(907) 343-7103

Additional Contact: Nance Larsen, APR
Vice President, Communications & Marketing Programs
Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau
pr@anchorage.net
(907) 276-4118 direct