3.0 Affected Environment - Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority

Knik Arm Crossing DraftFinal EIS
Affected Environment
Residents displaced by a federal program are generally relocated to existing housing in the
community, although present market conditions may require relocation outside the
community of present residence. Further, people asked to move because of transportation
projects frequently choose to relocate into housing circumstances substantially different than
their present housing. 24 Changes typically made are different communities, different housing
styles and sizes, and different occupancy status between owner and renter. Businesses are
generally relocated to similar business settings and in accordance with the Uniform Act.
Homes and businesses affected by the project are discussed below and in Section 4.2.7.
Although minimal disruption would take place in the Mat–Su community with
implementation of the proposed Mat-Su approach alternatives, each of the proposed
Anchorage approach alternatives would affect improved property. Vacant housing and
business sites are generally available in Anchorage, if relocation would be required.
3.2.7.1 The Mat–Su
Up to 30 parcels exist along each of the proposed Mat-Su approach alternatives. No homes or
businesses in the Mat–Su portion of the Study Area would be anticipated to be affected by
the proposed KAC project.
3.2.7.2 Southern Alignment
The proposed Southern Alignment would require acquisition of controlled-access right-ofway;
however, it is not anticipated that any homes or businesses would be affected by
implementation of the proposed KAC project.
3.2.7.3 Anchorage
In the Anchorage portion of the Study Area, Phase 1of the proposed KAC project would
traverse the Government Hill neighborhood along Degan Street or Erickson Street, as
described in Section 2.0. While implementation of the tunnel design would minimize
permanent displacements, proposed KAC project staging areas, construction techniques, and
final tunnel design would affect the number of relocations and construction impacts. Phase 2
of the proposed project would traverse parcels in the rail yard industrial area as well as
parcels owned by the Municipality of Anchorage.
3.2.7.4 Characteristics of affected community
Family and other characteristics of the community affected in Anchorage, as identified in
the 2000 U.S. Census data Block Group 1, Census Tract 5, show a neighborhood
approximately evenly split between homeowners and renters, with over 90 percent of the
households being four-person or smaller in size. The racial makeup of the population is
estimated to be 72.6 percent White, 6.6 percent self-identified as Black or African American,
24 Personal communication, various persons displaced by highway projects, in interviews conducted by Glenn
Bridger, retired Field Services Reality Specialist for FHWA Office of Real Estate, Washington, D.C.;
personal follow-up interviews conducted over a 38-year career.
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