Historic Anchorage Theatre Inspires State-Level Preservation Support

The Anchorage Historical Commission declared the 4th Avenue Theatre in downtown Anchorage a culturally and historically significant building that needs state protection.

1 minute read

April 27, 2017, 11:00 AM PDT

By urbanguy


Anchorage Theater

aimee castenell / Flickr

Historic preservation advocates in Anchorage, Alaska, have asked the state to intervene in a local historic preservation dispute over the historic 4th Avenue Theatre. Yet, at a hearing earlier this week, the Alaska Historic Preservation Commission "stopped short of recommending that the governor and the state Department of Natural Resources declare the theater a state historic site or monument," reports Devin Kelly. Commission chair, Lieutenant Governor Byron Mallott, "said the commission would return to that question, sought by preservation advocates, at a future meeting."

"The 4th Avenue Theatre is already listed on a federal registry and as a state landmark. But officials and other preservation advocates say the listing doesn't stop a private owner from tearing down all or part of it. The theater has been closed since 2006 when the owner before the Fangs, Robert Gottstein, was unable to make it financially sustaining as a theater that served food," adds Kelly.

Tuesday, April 25, 2017 in Alaska Dispatch News

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 23, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

View of residential street in Los Angeles with palm trees and hazy city in distance.

Rebuilding Smarter: How LA County Is Guiding Fire-Ravaged Communities Toward Resilience

Los Angeles County is leading a coordinated effort to help fire-impacted communities rebuild with resilience by providing recovery resources, promoting fire-wise design, and aligning reconstruction with broader sustainability and climate goals.

April 27 - Los Angeles County Chief Sustainability Office

Entrance sign for San Jose-Santa Clara Regional wastewater treatment facility.

When Borders Blur: Regional Collaboration in Action

As regional challenges outgrow city boundaries, “When Borders Blur” explores how cross-jurisdictional collaboration can drive smarter, more resilient urban planning, sharing real-world lessons from thriving partnerships across North America.

April 27 - * A Placemaking Journal

Rendering of Penrose Roundabout in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia Is Expanding its Network of Roundabouts

Roundabouts are widely shown to decrease traffic speed, reduce congestion, and improve efficiency.

April 27 - WHYY