Project History
1980s
Hatcher Pass Management Plan adopted by the
State of Alaska in 1986.
Plan amended in 1989 to accommodate ski area
development including housing and commercial development.
Identified Government Peak Area as
promising alpine ski terrain.
Lands made available for lease
DNR sponsored Feasibility Study found that a
moderate sized, seasonal development was the most feasible
alternative.
Mitsui & Co was the successful bidder and a
55 year performance lease of 11,530 acres was issued that mandated
construction and operation of medium ski operation within 5 years.
Plan for $300 million resort approved by
DNR.
Mitsui’s requests extension on lease:
feasibility study showed lack of destination market.
Anchorage lost bid for Winter Olympics and
amendments to HPMP were made.
1990s
DNR declines Mitsui’s request for lease
extension—Mitsui terminates lease.
New request for proposal offered by
the MSB: only one respondent Hatcher Pass Development Corporation (HPDC).
55 year lease with HPDC for 10,634 acres.
No lease payments required until
construction.
Borough and AIDEA fund feasibility study
which finds HPDC’s large four-season resort plans financially
unfeasible.
HPDC current lease holder sells interest in
the lease to a new developer.
Study also finds 51% of skier households
likely to ski at HP.
Addendum Feasibility Study is commissioned
which finds a $9 million seasonal development financially feasible.
2000s
HPDC discontinues efforts to develop HP and
conveyed their lease interest to the MSB.
MSB selects and the State approves a 3,000
acre land conveyance to the Borough. The 3,000 acres is located
where possible Alpine & Nordic development would be likely to occur.
Cascadia Wildlands Project group sued to
block the transfer of 3,000 acres of land held by the State to the
MSB. Settlement agreement ends court case with the requirement that
the land could be developed and used according to the Hatcher Pass
Management Plan, as amended.
JL Properties began looking at development.
Numerous studies/reports/segmented plans:
Southside Development Plan, Subsurface Investigation, Water Quality
Sample Report, Racing Trails Plan completed
Mat-Su Planners and a Citizen Advisory Group
work to draft the Hatcher Pass Special Land Use District (SPUD) to
guide development so that it is conducted in accordance with
recommendations in the 1989 Hatcher Pass Management Plan.
JL Properties ceases development plans.
MSB lets RFP for Engineering and
Environmental services for federally funded road/infrastructure
project: DOWL Engineers (now DOWL HKM) is selected as contractor.
Environmental studies begin summer 2008.
Public and Agency Scoping to begin fall
2008.