A few days after Memorial Day, construction crews began work on resurrecting the fallen Veterans flagpole on the park strip, which was knocked over in last year's windstorms, on I Street in between 9th Ave and 10th Ave.
The Anchorage Parks and Recreation Service already has nine projects ongoing, including the flagpole project and fixing up the historic Engine 556 on the corner at 9th Ave and E St.
Holes were spotted in the train about five years ago and tests confirmed that the 1940's era train had asbestos and lead, according to Parks and Rec.
"Since 1959, three generations of Anchorage youth have been able to play in the train which has been awesome, but we know it would take us about a million dollars to get it to the point, based on current safety and accessibility standards to achieve what's necessary," Holly Spoth-Torres, Parks Superintendent, said.
In April, voters approved prop 4, which allowed up to $2.5 million for parks and trails improvements.
The flagpole project will be finished by August, followed by a ceremony in September, according to Lindsey Whitt, spokesperson for Mayor Dan Sullivan. The memorial will be handicap accessible and three flagpoles will be installed for the Alaska flag, American flag, and a POW/MIA flag.
On Sep. 4, 2012, the strong winds toppled the Sitka spruce flagpole and since then, the Veterans Memorial Committee and the Veterans of Alaska have worked with the city to replace it.
Editor's Note: KTUU's Tracy Sinclare contributed to this story.
Contact Neil Torquiano
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Crews Begin Restoring Downtown Flagpole and Historic Engine 556
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