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Video Girdwood
2020 |
Our Vision for
Girdwood Valley &endash; Managing
Growth Growth
Management, the core challenge to be faced by
future Girdwood residents, has been strangely
absent from our community's recent public dialog.
We have under- recognized the significance of a
vitally important question: How, given the
inevitability of growth, do we control, and perhaps
even limit, future growth? It is generally
accepted that Girdwood's growth will most likely be
comprised of two fairly distinct components. One
component grows our community into a truly
sustainable mountain resort community. The other
turns us into a suburb of Anchorage. Girdwood
20/20's vision for the Girdwood Valley is based on
the conviction that our community should continue
to evolve into a uniquely Alaskan mountain resort
community; a community that reflects and celebrates
our valley's natural values, its scenic
surroundings and its recreational opportunities.
Residents of Girdwood share with the traveling
public a common interest in protecting this
spectacular valley. This commonality of interest
represents a unique opportunity for generating both
the political will and the economic imperative for
protecting our adjacent lands from the relentless
onslaught of suburban sprawl. Well- planned
resort development that realistically responds to
market demand and is based on a pragmatic
assessment of our valley's potential should be
encouraged and nurtured until our tourist- related
infrastructure has achieved a critical mass that is
sufficient to offer: • A
memorable experience to the visiting public; Growth Management
is a difficult challenge for any community.
Girdwood's level of success in meeting this
challenge will be determined, in large measure, by
how we balance these two components of growth.
Clearly, a balance that favors sustainable resort
development best serves the future of our
valley. |
