Anchorage Homeowner Disputes Property Tax Assessment Amid Neighborhood Decline

Resident says nearby park has been overtaken by homeless, drug users, hampering home sale

Jan. 30, 2026 at 11:47am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A longtime Anchorage resident is disputing his property tax assessment, arguing that the value of his daughter's former condominium in the Spenard neighborhood does not reflect the reality of the area. The condo, which the resident helped sell for $325,000 after spending $30,000 on renovations, is now assessed by the municipality at $369,400 - a figure the resident says is inaccurate given the problems plaguing the nearby Minnesota Park, which has been overtaken by homeless individuals, drug users, and drug dealers.

Why it matters

This case highlights the challenges faced by homeowners in Anchorage's Spenard neighborhood, where deteriorating public spaces and a lack of police presence have negatively impacted property values. It raises questions about how the municipality assesses property taxes and whether homeowners should be held responsible for issues outside of their control.

The details

The resident, Tom McGrath, helped his daughter sell her condominium in the Spenard neighborhood in 2025. Despite spending $30,000 on renovations, the condo only sold for $325,000, well below the initial listing price of $395,000. McGrath says this was due to the nearby Minnesota Park, which has been taken over by homeless individuals, drug users, and drug dealers. McGrath called the police numerous times, but never saw any arrests made.

  • In July 2025, McGrath agreed to help his daughter sell her condominium.
  • From July 1 through Oct. 15, 2025, and again from Nov. 14 until Jan. 4, 2026, McGrath called the police multiple times about the issues at Minnesota Park, but never saw any arrests made.
  • The condo was finally sold in December 2025 for $325,000, with various other concessions, resulting in a net amount of $307,000 for the owners.

The players

Tom McGrath

A longtime Anchorage resident who helped his daughter sell her condominium in the Spenard neighborhood and is now disputing the property's tax assessment.

Minnesota Park

A public park in Anchorage's Spenard neighborhood that has been taken over by homeless individuals, drug users, and drug dealers, negatively impacting the surrounding properties.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“So why do people adjacent to the park and others in the subdivision have to pay property taxes commensurate with other residential structures in Anchorage when everything about the area is substandard due to the municipality's fault?”

— Tom McGrath

What’s next

McGrath is calling on other property owners in the area to protest their property tax assessments and demand that the municipality provide better police protection and street upgrades to the neighborhood.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges faced by homeowners in Anchorage's Spenard neighborhood, where deteriorating public spaces and a lack of municipal support have negatively impacted property values. It raises questions about the fairness of the property tax assessment system and the responsibility of local governments to maintain safe and livable communities.