LaFrance administration announces the sale of Sprung Structure, puts funding toward addressing homelessness

Today Mayor Suzanne LaFrance announced a solution that will put the Sprung Structure to use at the Port of Alaska while benefiting the Municipality's efforts to tackle homelessness head-on. The solution puts an end to the years-long question over the sprung structure, which has been in storage after being purchased to address homelessness in 2021.

​Following an internal pocess, the Port of Alaska will purchase the Sprung Structure to use for warm storage of road sand and related equipment, storage for maintenance heavy equipment and vehicles, and port maintenance offices. The Port will pay the Municipality the original cost of the structure, $2,390,975.09, using available grant funds which would have otherwise been used to support alternative projects to house these Port functions. The Port will take over the monthly storage fees of $5,000 and the Port will invest an additional $11-13 million in the transport and construction of the structure.

The Port's purchase of the Sprung Structure will result in additional operating funds for 2024, which will be invested directly into solutions to homelessness this winter.

"We are happy to see an inherited problem turn into a triple win for the community," Mayor Suzanne LaFrance said. "Turning an expensive logistical issue into an elegant solution which serves multiple community users and accomplishes the original goal of addressing homelessness is a perfect example of the power of approaching government as a team."

This fall, the LaFrance Administration issued an open request for proposals from municipal departments regarding use to the Sprung Structure.

The proposals were reviewed by Municipal Manager Becky Windt Pearson, Chief Administrative Officer Bill Falsey, Economic Development Director Lance Wilber, and Maintenance and Operations Director Shay ThroTop.

The proposals were scored on a matrix which assessed the department's ability to cover costs of transport, construction, and any efficiencies gained for the department if they were to buy the structure. The Port came out ahead on all fronts.

"Our team worked to create a package deal that supports our sheltering efforts, offsets planned PAMP expenditures, cuts off ongoing expenses tied to storage, and puts the structure to use in the immediate future," Municipal Manager Becky Windt Pearson said.

Assembly approval is required for the sale of the Sprung Structure and it will be before the legislative body as a Laid-on-the-Table item at the Regular Assembly Meeting of October 8, 2024 (tonight). If approved, the Administration will move forward with the sale.

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​Media Contact: Amanda K. Moser
907-615-7852
[email protected]

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