Alaska Town Giving Away Free Land (26- 1.3 acre lots in Anderson, pop. 300)

Fox News / AP ^ | March 16, 2007

[Stoat]

Anderson, a little town in Alaska's interior, has no gas station, no grocery store and no traffic lights, but it does have plenty of woodsy land — and it's free to anyone willing to put down roots in the often-frozen ground.

In a modern twist on the homesteading movement that populated the Plains in the 1800s, the community of 300 people is offering 26 large lots on spruce-covered land in a part of Alaska that has spectacular views of the Northern lights and Mount McKinley, North America's highest peak.

And what's an occasional day of 60-below cold in a town removed from big-city ills?

"It's Mayberry," said Anderson high-school teacher Daryl Frisbie, whose social studies class explored ways to boost the town's dwindling population. Students developed a Web site and Power Point presentation, then persuaded the City Council to give it a go.

[Stoat]

Sorry about the forced heavy editing...please click on the Fox News weblink for the rest of the article.

Also, here is the information direct from the website of the town of Anderson:

Anderson, Alaska --

 

The City of Anderson is selling up to twenty-six lots at no costs starting March 19, 2007 at 9:00 AM.  Applications will be selected on a first come, first served bases.  A $500.00 refundable deposit will be required at the time of application.  Applicant will be required to build a residential home within 2 years from date of signed agreement.  Other covenants and restrictions apply.  Lots are 1.3 acres in size, electrical and phone has been installed.  In April, the city council will hold a lot selection meeting for applicants to select their individual lots, based upon the first come, first served critieria.  For more information contact the city clerk @ 582-2500 or coaclerk@mtaonline.net. 

 

Letter
 

 

Guidelines for Accepting Applications
 

Guidelines for lining up for the first come first served critieria will be posted on Thursday.

If you are expressing the application and check to the city:  Mail to 260 W 1st Street  PO Box 3100  Anderson, AK  99744

 

Application
 

City will start accepting applications on the 19th of March @ 9 AM.  Applications will be accepted on the first come, first served criteria. 

This application is for informational purposes only.

A $500.00 refundable deposit will be required with the application.  Only certified or cashier checks or money orders will be accepted.

 

Ordinance 07-05
This ordinance establishes the procedures and requirements for the sale of lots at no costs.  We have up to twenty-six lots available for this incentive program. This incentive program was established to encourage new home construction in our communtiy.

 

Northern Lights Subdivision Master Covenants
 

 

Agreement
 

This is a copy of the agreement.  Applicants will receive a deed of trust. 

City of Anderson will be listed as a lienholder until the applicant has completed all the requirements. 

 

 

Plat
Attached is the plat for the subdivision.   Two lots have been sold.  Lot 4, Block 2 and Lot 7, Block 1

 

Another Website Link
This website has numerous pictures of our community and residents.  It also has some helpful information.

 

[Stoat]

Alaska Ping :-)

[thackney]

ping

[thackney]

In between Denali and Fairbanks.

[Blackirish]

Thanx....but I like Lake Shore Drive..Chicago.

But truly the best of luck to those hardy Americans.

[cardinal4]

I have been as far as Cantwell before, my wife and I hiked across a frozen lake on a clear day with Denali just dominating the landscape. Life is about the Moments..

[thackney]

It is not so bad. The closest weather station I could find to them in Nenana said it has been above zero for almost 6 hours now. Not counting the windchill of course, currently -9°F in that 10 to 17 mph wind.

http://weather.noaa.gov/weather/current/PANN.html

[biff]

Mayberry my a$$!!!! Maybe on the rocks.

[Stoat]

I have been as far as Cantwell before, my wife and I hiked across a frozen lake on a clear day with Denali just dominating the landscape. Life is about the Moments..

That must have been a beautiful trip, full of lifelong memories.

This land giveaway is certainly a captivating idea, and one that I've seen done at least a couple of times before.  I recall one a few years ago, I think in a community in or near Detroit.  They had a whole bunch of rundown houses in a blighted area that they were giving away free as 'homesteads', with some additional incentives as well.

[Stoat]

Thanks very much for posting the map and other information :-)

[martin_fierro]

I'm gettin' one and puttin' in a Starbucks.

[Stoat]

I'm gettin' one and puttin' in a Starbucks.

LMAO

Well, the purpose of this giveaway is to attract businesses and entrepreneurs as well as families   :-)

Be sure to put up a moose and grizzly barrier around the drive-thru  :-)

[Blackirish]

Life is about the Moments..

---

This has nothing to do with Alaska...but a childhood friend of mine is drinking himself to death. With much persuasion we just barely got him into rehab yesterday. His hippie sister looked at me when we checked him in and said to me..."Every moment is a piece of glass".

I don't think like that too much....but I think she and you are right.

[DocRock]

bttt

[alaskamomma]

This is where I live.
We only have a school, a post office with a part time DMV housed in the same building..And a restaurant-bar.. That's it.

[LegendHasIt]

Well, I'd probably be tempted to head up there if I could get outta here yet.

But not for a piddling 1.3 acres. I could probably con my overgrown, overpriced and overhyped local town out of at least twice that much with a few empty promises.

[cardinal4]

Prayers for your buddy. I have been down that road, thats why I enjoy all the Moments..

[Stoat]

This is where I live.
We only have a school, a post office with a part time DMV housed in the same building..And a restaurant-bar.. That's it.

Wow!  What a coincidence!

I am guessing that the lack of lots of  'city' services are not a huge problem for you.  Have you lived there long?  Are you happy there?

[Hatband]

Its a nice area but who wants to live in town?

[alaskamomma]

I've lived here for 13yrs.
We have electric, we all have septics, most of us use fuel oil for our furnaces(it's delivered), and most of us have a 300 to 500 gallon gas tank for gasoline to be delivered..
The rough one is we have to drive 160mls roundtrip to Fairbanks for Our Big grocery shopping.