Old Nordstrom seeing new life?

The old Nordstrom building at 6th and D in downtown Anchorage has sat vacant since 2019. The Anchorage Assembly is considering a plan to transfer the city owned property to the Anchorage Community Development Authority, which would take the lead on designing a redevelopment plan and finding a private developer.

The empty storefront has left a visible gap in the middle of downtown, with dark windows and locked doors for years. If the transfer is approved, ACDA would oversee the process of bringing the building back into use, a decision that directly affects downtown residents, business owners and anyone who passes the corner regularly.

The proposal includes potential incentives such as tax breaks or lease discounts to help make a redevelopment project financially workable. Developers have already expressed interest, with ideas ranging from housing to specialty retail stores.

A public hearing on the proposal is scheduled for March 24, giving downtown residents and business owners an opportunity to weigh in before the Assembly moves forward. Whether the plan will be enough to revitalize downtown Anchorage remains an open question.