This time last year, I took my shot and tried to predict what might happen in 2024. I’ll do the same for 2025, but first, allow me to highlight what I correctly predicted in January 2024:
At least one office/commercial property will be converted to residential condos and available for sale, adding approximately 15 housing units to Anchorage.
“The Emerald” assisted living facility converted a former commercial building at 1407 W 31st Ave open in 2024.
Moose’s Tooth’s second location at the former La Mex (8330 King St) will remain under construction and NOT open for business.
As many now know, “Eye Tooth” is expected to open in spring 2025.
We will have one more roof collapse in Anchorage.
According to Alaska Public Media, there were TEN roof collapses in Anchorage in 2024.
Mayor Bronson will not be reelected.
Suzanne LaFrance was elected Anchorage’s first woman Mayor and the 38th in history (10th mayor of the Municipality of Anchorage since its formation in 1975).
A lovely older couple will sell me their modest house or attractive condo at a smokin deal.
I did buy something, but it wasn’t a fire sale by any means!
PWHL Minnesota will win the inaugural season of the Professional Women’s Hockey League.
PWHL Minnesota (now known as the Minnesota Frost) did win the inaugural season. Alaskan Clair DeGeorge was a member of the team. Congrats Clair!
University of Denver will win the 2024 D1 Men’s Ice Hockey Championship.
Alaskan David Carle was at the helm for Denver’s NCAA National Championship, winning in both 2024 and 2022. Congrats David!
The Fargo Force will win the United States Hockey League (USHL).
Alaskan Mac Swanson featured prominently on Fargo’s championship-winning team, earning the following awards along the way: USHL Clark Cup Champion, USHL Clark Cup MVP, USHL Player of the Year, USHL Forward of the Year, USHL Most Assists (51), USHL Best Plus/Minus (39+), and USHL First All-Star Team. Congrats Mac!
West High will win the 2024 ASAA Hockey State Championship.
West High went 19-3-1, beating Dimond in the finals 3-2.
Shattuck St. Marys will win all USA Hockey National Championships it competes in.
National Championships: The Boys Prep, Boys U18, Girls Prep, and Girls U16 teams won their respective national championships. (Four National Championships won out of the six competed in, so this one is only partially correct. However, I’m a proud alumnus, so I’ll share nonetheless)
Team Success: The program recorded an impressive overall season record of 352 wins, 70 losses, and 26 ties.
Notable Firsts: The Girls Prep team had the first all-female coaching staff to win a national championship in program history.
NHL Prospects: Six current players and ten alumni appeared on the NHL Central Scouting final list, with Macklin Celebrini becoming the first overall draft pick.
International Success: Several players and alumni achieved success at international tournaments, including gold medals at the IIHF Women’s and World Junior Championships.
Professional Representation: Eight alumni joined teams in the new Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL).
Fundraising Efforts: The annual Hockey Gala raised nearly $250,000 to support facility upgrades, including plans for a new ice plant.
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Like any good expert, I will ignore the predictions I got wrong and move on to making a few new predictions for 2025.
In 2025, Anchorage will vote via a special election to decide whether to impose a sales tax, I don’t think it will pass on the first go around. Ted Stevens Airport will break ground on a new tallest building in Alaska, read/learn more about it in this issue of the newsletter. The former Northway Mall will see the first new tenants of its redevelopment process into a warehouse/logistic hub. Commercial Real Estate demand will continue to be relatively strong, and optimism is good in all asset types except class b & c office. Anchorage’s snowfall will be under 55 inches for the season and, in the process, spare any further commercial warehouse roofs from collapsing this winter. The Fed Funds Rate will be between 4% and 4.5% this year.
There will be peace in the Middle East. Alaska will have a warm, sunny summer with no wildfires, a dry fall, and mild October, November, and December. Road construction will inconvenience no one this summer. The Edmonton Oilers will win the Stanley Cup. The Montréal Victoire will win the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). The Kansas City Chiefs will three-peat. Michigan State will win the 2025 D1 Men’s Ice Hockey Championship. University of Wisconsin will win the 2025 D1 Women’s Ice Hockey Championship. The Sioux Falls Stampede will win the USHL. West High will go back to back, winning the 2025 ASAA Hockey State Championship. Shattuck St. Marys will win all USA Hockey National Chamiponships it competes in. Last but not least, intelligent life (aliens) will be confirmed in our solar system.
Punch your tickets in Vegas! You heard it here first.
Here’s to a great 2025.
-Ryan
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