Posted on by Board Member

Girdwood Into 2024 – Issue XII

Welcome to a new year and Issue XII of Girdwood Inc’s newsletter!

Community Champion: Jennifer McCombs

We are excited to announce the new Executive Director for Girdwood Inc’s Roundhouse at Alyeska, Jennifer McCombs! Jennifer received her Bachelor of Business Administration from Northeastern State University and a Master of Business Administration from University of Alaska Anchorage.

Jennifer landed in Girdwood in 2007 and has called it home ever since. She has extensive experience in hospitality, logistics, merchandising, sales, and events. Jennifer is a certified yoga teacher and an entrepreneurial artist, owning and operating Active Mountain LLC. You can find her teaching local yoga classes through her business or teaching paint nights through Four Valleys Community School. Jennifer has served on the board of the Girdwood Health Clinic since 2019 and is currently the board President.

Jennifer and her husband share two boys, who both attend Girdwood School. She is an experienced skier and outdoor enthusiast. We are excited with the energy Jennifer is bringing to her new position and are thrilled to have her on the Girdwood Inc Team!

Everyone For Girdwood! An invitation:

We are thrilled to invite you to a special event that promises fun, food, and a fantastic cause. Please mark your calendars for January 25th, 2024, as we gather at the Challenge Alaska Building for an indoor/outdoor extravaganza!

Event Details:

  • Date: January 25th, 2024
  • Time: 5-9 PM
  • Location: Challenge Alaska Building, 366 Crystal Mountain Road, Girdwood, AK

All funds raised will support the Girdwood Workforce Childcare Project, a collaborative effort between Girdwood Inc and Little Bears Playhouse. The mission of this project is to build a new childcare facility for our community, which Little Bears Playhouse will own and operate. Come to learn about our new building and view the latest developments and design. By supporting this cause, you are contributing to the well-being and future of our community’s families and workforce!

What to Expect:

  • Delicious Food
  • Fun Music
  • Refreshing Drinks
  • Cozy Fire Pits

We have planned an exciting evening for everyone to enjoy, with indoor and outdoor activities to suit all preferences and weather. Let’s come together, celebrate, and make a meaningful impact on our community.

Your presence and support are highly valued, so please purchase your tickets now! We are limited to the capacity of the building for pre-selling tickets, make sure you get yours today! View ticket options at: https://girdwoodinc.org/shop/

  • Adult Ticket: $20
  • Child Ticket: $10

We can’t wait to see Everyone For Girdwood on January 25th, 2024, for an unforgettable evening of community, celebration, and generosity.

If you are unable to attend, there are a number of ways you can contribute to this effort:

To learn more about progress of the project, we encourage you to visit www.girdwoodinc.com/childcare/

Holtan Hills, Back on Assembly Agenda:

Three Anchorage Assembly Members laid the HLB disposal, commonly known as Holtan Hills, on the table at the December 19th, 2023, assembly meeting. The sponsor, Meg Zaletel, moved the item with Daniel Volland making a second, and Kevin Cross, as the third. The South Anchorage assembly members, who represent Girdwood, Randy Sulte and Zac Johnson, were given notice minutes before the meeting began, about the laid on the table item. Girdwood Board of Supervisors were also not made aware of the item being laid on the table.

The initial public hearing was scheduled for January 9th. A Clerks note was added to the municipal website noting “It is the intent of the sponsor to continue this item to the meeting of January 23rd.”

Several Girdwood residents came to testify at the January 9th hearing. You can view the agenda item and their testimony by clicking “play” below. As published in advance, the sponsor motioned to continue the public hearing on January 23rd at the regular assembly meeting, which is scheduled to begin at 5:00 PM.

To view the most recent Assembly Ordinance, AO 2023-137 regarding the disposal click here.

To view the associated Assembly Memorandum click here.

Girdwood Board of Supervisors has added the item on their January 22nd meeting agenda. This will be held at the Girdwood Community Room and on Microsoft Teams at 7:00 PM.

Heritage Land Bank Plan Documents Published

HLB has released their draft 2024 Annual Work Program and 2025-2029 5-Year Management Plan. It is open for public comments until 2/9/2024. The tentative public hearing is scheduled for 2/22/2024.

Girdwood Area Plan Draft Map

The newest version of the Girdwood Area Plan Draft Map is set to be presented January 10, 2024 at the Imagine Girdwood special meeting. Information for upcoming meetings below:

Wednesday January 10, 2024 6p-8p Special Meeting

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82883137639?pwd=TG42RGYvcXVHOFdYWXFzci9RN2F1Zz09

Meeting ID: 828 8313 7639 

Passcode: 541016

Wednesday January 24, 2024 6p-8p Regular Meeting

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82854954209?pwd=MWVGTHZSNHZQK1U0ajQybGEzNmxvdz09

Meeting ID: 828 5495 4209 

Passcode: 901428

Until next time!