In the midst of budget cuts a handful of local non profits are feeling the pinch, as the Municipality of Anchorage decides if it will sell the building that houses them.
The non profits say the people of anchorage will suffer a great loss if that happens while the city says tax payers can't afford to keep the building running.
It’s a building you may have driven by 100 times and never stepped foot inside… but to the people who visit the John Thomas Building it’s a home away from home.
On Monday’s a group of senior citizens meet for wood carving. It’s one of the programs the Mabel T. Caverly Senior Services puts on inside the John Thomas Building.
“In order to stay healthy both physically and mentally you have to stay engaged and coming here on Mondays to do wood carving is very important,” said Executive Director of Mabel T. Caverly Senior Services Sandra Camery.
Tuesday the anchorage assembly will meet and decide if the building is put up for sale. Currently the tenants pay around 25cents a square foot for rent, well below the average rate. Also the city picks up the bill when it comes to utilities. That costs tax payers around $80,000 and the mayor says it’s not something the city can afford anymore.
"When you do provide municipal assets to some services you do your best," said Mayor Dan Sullivan, "You have to be fair to everyone and it's just not fair that some people get that municipal support and others dont."
“We will be paying twice as much rent and have half as much space and we would still have to drop 65% of our programs," said Camery.
The Anchorage Assembly members will decide if they will sell the building during a public meeting Tuesday at 5 p.m. in the Loussac Library Assembly Chambers, room 108.
Contact Mallory Peebles
