Shaping Wasilla's Future: Comprehensive Planning Underway
Contributed by Crystal Nygard, City of Wasilla
As we look toward the future of Wasilla, now is the time for residents and businesses to come together and participate in a crucial initiative: updating the Comprehensive Plan for our city. This plan is essential for addressing the unique challenges and opportunities that come with our growth and development.
Located 40 miles north of Anchorage, Wasilla is a thriving hub in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, serving both locals and thousands of visitors who enjoy our beautiful outdoor landscapes year-round. As our population continues to grow—outpacing state averages for over two decades—it’s vital that we have a clear vision for the city’s future.
Wasilla is unique among Alaska cities: the borough provides key public safety services such as fire; Wasilla has the only Economic Development Administration-approved regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), a blueprint for economic vitality; the city is incorporated as a First-Class City with a Council-Mayor form of government, providing the following public services: City Clerk; Code Compliance; Economic Development; Finance; Library; Parks and Recreation; Municipal Airport; Planning; Police and Emergency Dispatch; and Public Works. Currently, over 5,800 businesses and 115+ franchises operate within the city limits. The City collects a sales tax of 2.5% and no property tax. A planned expansion of the City-owned Wasilla Municipal Airport runway from 3,700 to 6,000 feet is underway. The City carries no debt and has several capital projects that are now “shovel-ready” and can be built as funding becomes available. In May 2023, the City Council adopted a city budget that included $22M in capital expenditures. Matching state and federal funds will allow these projects to total an estimated $57M, including the airport runway extension and initial upgrades to water and sewer infrastructure.
The last update to our Comprehensive Plan was in 2011, and as mandated by Alaska State Statutes, we must revisit and enhance this guiding document every ten years. The updated plan will focus on several key areas including: transportation goals that support current and future development through an efficient, inclusive, and well-connected system for all users; land use planning to address necessary infrastructure upgrades, simplify zoning and development codes, and enhance flexibility; reassessment of the Downtown Overlay to align with and support the city’s future vision; community asset goals to improve parks, library, museum, and other facilities to promote economic development and connection; economic vitality goals focused on critical infrastructure, airport expansion, entrepreneurship, tourism, and high-impact projects; and intergovernmental coordination goals to strengthen partnerships with local, state, and federal agencies, tourism groups, cultural organizations, visitor services, and public-private coalitions to support a unified vision for Wasilla.
The success of this Comprehensive Plan hinges on active participation from our residents, businesses, and stakeholders. Your insights and experience are invaluable in creating a vision that meets our community’s needs for the next 20 years. This is your opportunity to voice ideas, concerns, and aspirations for Wasilla’s future.
We invite you to be part of this essential process. Visit wasilla2045.com to learn more about the planning process and how you can contribute. Whether you’re a longtime resident, a new business owner, or a community partner, your involvement is crucial in shaping a thriving future for Wasilla.
Together, we can create a Comprehensive Plan that reflects our community’s values and goals—ensuring Wasilla remains a vibrant, accessible, and prosperous place to live, work, and play.