It’s time for Page Two: News that might not make the front page for Tuesday, January 6, 2026.
Is there a parking problem in downtown Palmer? The City of Palmer wanted to find out. It partnered with consulting firm RESPEC to conduct a comprehensive parking and pedestrian access study in 2025. The study focused on the Central Business District.
The study assessed parking conditions, gathered community feedback, and identified potential improvements. The goal is to support a vibrant, accessible, and walkable downtown while preserving Palmer’s small-town character and supporting local businesses.
Survey results and early study insights indicate that downtown Palmer has sufficient parking under most conditions. People can usually find parking quickly.
Parking difficulties arise during events such as Friday Fling and Colony Days.
The city has off street parking requirements for downtown businesses. Opinions varied on whether the city’s parking codes should be relaxed or maintained to manage parking demand and support business growth.
ADA accessibility, pedestrian connectivity, signage deficiencies, and event-day wayfinding were commonly cited concerns in the survey.
Responses from central business district residents were limited. Most reported rare or no difficulty finding parking near their homes. They emphasized walking, driving, and biking as common transportation modes.
In summary, the 2025 Palmer parking study revealed that downtown parking is adequate for everyday use.
Concerns were expressed about accessibility, event traffic, signage, ADA compliance, and pedestrian connectivity. Residents and visitors desire maintaining a balanced, walkable downtown with targeted improvements rather than wholesale expansion of parking infrastructure.
The Palmer City Council will discuss the results of the study at the January 13 City Council meeting.
The borough assembly meets tonight at 6 p.m.
GRPA was groomed last night. Everything is packed. Avoid Susitna loop due to overflow at several locations. There is overflow at a couple of other spots, but not as bad as Susitna. There is a good base with some shallow spots due to frost heaves.
The January book club at Black Birch books meets tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. They will discuss The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong.
The Magician’s Nephew opens Friday at Valley Performing Arts. Digory and his friend Polly set forth on a series of magical adventures with his uncle’s magic rings in this classic C.S. Lewis story. Get your tickets online at VPAalaska.org. The play runs Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday matinees through January 25.
The fireworks at the Iditapark in Wasilla will be on Saturday. Festivities start at 6:30 p.m. at the Red Pavilion with free s’mores supplies, hot coffee, cocoa, and cider while they last. The fireworks start at 8 p.m. They were cancelled on New Year’s Eve due to wind.
It’s time to file for your PFD. Apply by 11:59 p.m. on March 31 at mypfd.alaska.gov.
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This Page Two article was written by Mike Chmielewski and read by Lee Henrikson.
If you have an idea for a Page 2 topic, please email us at page2@radiofreepalmer.org.
That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Tuesday, January 6, 2026.