Projects We'd Like to See: Yeager's Service

It is amazing that this building still exists. I’d been curious about its past for a long time, and many of the answers popped up in a post in a Facebook group, You Know You Grew Up In Anchorage If… — a place where people (some of whom used to live in Anchorage and some of whom still do) recount people, places and events from the past, with varying degrees of accuracy. Mr. Randall Montbriand in the Facebook thread, a neighbor of the original owner/developer of the building provided information, perspective and memoribilia that are shown here.

Municipal records indicate the building was constructed in 1955. Anchorage was connected by railroad to points north by 1923, but it took a lot longer for a road connection to be made. It became possible to drive to Eagle River by the late 1940s, but the crossing of Eagle River was then a harrowing prospect in the winter — the road made a 90 degree turn at the top of a bluff and then plunged down a ravine to the river bank. Over the years the grade was reduced many times (the most recent time was five years ago) and the former two-lane became a divided highway in the 1960s.

Sometime before 1955, a bypass section of the highway was built just east of Mountain View at the NE periphery of Anchorage. The bypass allowed access to and development of the Wonder Park neighborhood. An early Wonder Park homeowner, Victor Yeager saw potential for a highway stop gas station and managed to get it built. When it opened it was a cut above the typical Anchorage gas station. There was only one other vintage gas station I recall that had any character and quality — one from the ‘20s at the NE corner of 4th Ave. and I St. where the pump was sheltered by a corner cutout of the building mass. That station was torn down in the ‘70s. Most of the stations until the ‘60s consisted of a pump island with no roof in the middle of a rutted dirt lot, and a dirty shack containing an attendant and cash register.

In 1964 the State of Alaska began a process to improve the highway (now renamed the Glenn) — straightening the route, bypassing Mountain View in the process and regrading transitions. A portion of the existing bypass where it passed Yeager’s gas station was retained, but the road bed was lowered 25 feet there and the roadway moved slightly to the north. The Yeagers attempted to broker a deal to provide an off-ramp, and were unsuccessful. A new frontage street, Taku Drive was created that was accessed from points south in the neighborhood. Business at the gas station suffered. I’d assume Yeager later regretted not cutting a buyout deal that would have given him resources to relocate. Perhaps there was some compensation? It isn’t clear. In any case, the business soldiered on — renamed Wonder Park Texaco in the ‘60s — until sometime in the ‘80s when gas sales ended and the building became an independent repair garage under new ownership. The garage closed in 2003 and the building has been unoccupied since then.

Many have taken notice of the building and imagined new uses. It is now really rundown but not past the point of no return. I’d imagine most would assume it’s a teardown; I see potential in every place though. Some perspective for those unfamiliar with Anchorage — most of its development occured after the 1960s. The first buildings taller than three stories and not wood framed appeared in the 1930s. There are 300,000 residents now. There are few remaining historic buildings, and only two with origins before 1915. Consequently, we have an acute shortage of 19th century brick garment factories — or any other old buildings available for renovation and adaptive re-use. So when this building with its 14 foot high garage bays sits there it will generate interest, despite a lack of distinction in a more general sense.

The interior streets of Wonder Park appear very much the way they were in the ‘50s and ‘60s. There are well-maintained log and small wood framed houses and duplexes on slightly larger than average lots. On the north subdivision periphery along the highway it’s more of a mixed bag. There’s a hotel that’s been there almost as long as Yeager’s that was once deluxe and now is a down and out residential hotel. There’s some multiplex apartment buildings, an office for Head Start, and some houses built ten years ago by Habitat for Humanity.

The building would make an incredible custom house! Though that might seem like a stretch — due to the access issues, it makes more sense than a commercial use. Somebody will understand the potential of the building and neighborhood and save this place before it’s too late, is my fond hope.

The station as it appeared on its first day of business. It must have been based on a standard plan — the restrooms with exterior doors not being practical for Alaska. A close look at the retail wing on the left shows a sign, VOTE HERE. Besides a polling place it probably felt like a neighborhood center in other respects. [Photo courtesy Randall Montbriand]

The standard graphic image used for the newspaper advertisement might only slightly resemble the real building, but they were mighty proud of it just the same! One has to admire their ambition, too — not sure what a 24-hour gas station was like before credit card pay at the pump? Probably, running over a hose rang a bell that woke up a guy slumbering on a cot in the office? [Scrapbook content courtesy Randall Montbriand]

Young children pose with a stuffed standing brown bear outside Yeager’s Service in the late ‘50s. The log house on the other side of Stewart St. is still there. The bear is from the owners’ son in law who was a hunting guide. [Photo courtesy Randall Montbriand]

The station as it appears in November 2018, seen from the opposite side of the Glenn Highway. Before 1965 the roadbed was near the floor of the building and there was direct access by bouth outbound and inbound traffic on the two-lane highway. In the course of improvements the roadbed was lowered 25 feet, the roadway divided — and the station was now on a side road separated/disconnected from the highway by a weed-covered bank topped with a chain link fence. To the left of the station is a small hotel and to the right, a carport that’s part of an adjacent multiplex dwelling.

1958 aerial photo of the vicinity, annotated by Randall Montbriand showing the conditions when the Wonder Park neighborhood and Yeager’s gas station were developed. [Photo courtesy Randall Montbriand]

Another Montbriand-annotated historic aerial photo showing how the new Glenn Highway [dashed line] bypassed Mountain View in 1965. The subsequent decline of Mountain View can be partly attributed to the decision to bypass it. [Photo courtesy Randall Montbriand]

Anchorage Times article ca. 1965. [Scrapbook content courtesy Randall Montbriand]

The Christmas miracle the Yeagers were nudging along failed to materialize. [Scrapbook content courtesy Randall Montbriand]

Canopy, pump island and entrance to office area in November 2018. Small hotel across Stewart St. in the background. Remnants of accent striping on the canopy fascia and the concrete block wall. The former retail area on the left side was converted to an additional repair bay during the repair garage era.

Pump island, office entrance, canopy and repair bays.

Under the canopy. Door to one of the restrooms and the office area windows and entrance; repair bays beyond.

The former retail area on the east end. There is a large window on this end wall in the old photos and today can observe an outline where it was filled in with concrete block.

The same end wall seen in a view looking north. Taku Drive beyond, with the metal guardrail and chain link fence at the top of the highway embankment.

Grade at the back of the building is six feet lower than the front. There is a grassy yard here and entrance to an apartment on the lower level — a unique feature to the building not seen on most gas stations. I didn’t go inside so not sure of the exact configuration; the apartment appears to be under the east portion and not necessarily continuing below the repair bays, based on building area details in city tax records, and lack of windows on the west end. There were hydraulic car lifts in the repair bays so perhaps those needed to sit on a solid thickened slab on grade? The apartment entrance is in a well and the floor is three steps below the yard. The apartment height is 7’-8” from lower level floor to underside of concrete slab above and the slab protrudes slightly from the back exterior wall.

In my concept to turn this hulk into a high end custom house I started with the idea that the 14 foot height repair bays and office area would become an open Living/Dining/Kitchen, with a small Walk-In Pantry, Bar and access to the entry and the bedroom area. The garage doors are replaced with aluminum frame storefront windows [one of the more expensive and extravagant parts of the concept, but essential]. There is a 12x12, two-story addition at the back with a stairway that connects the lower level and accesses a new deck. Part of the back yard becomes a driveway off Stewart St. for the residents. The existing restrooms are demolished, retaining the restroom door locations for the entry and exterior access from the Guest Bedroom. There is a Guest Bath behind the ample Mud Room Entry. The rest of the existing [+/- 11 foot height] space including the former retail area become a Master Bedroom suite, with a Master Bath and closet area with built-in wardrobe cabinets. The existing exterior openings are mostly retained and the infilled east window at Master Bedroom is restored [this one will have a view of the mountains].

The south end of the building with the new driveway, deck and entry addition. A stepped timber planter smooths the grade transition and the former apartment entrance well is integrated into a greenhouse room underneath the new deck. New windows are installed in the existing openings in place of the broken glass block lites. The remodeled lower level could be a separate accessory dwelling unit [mother in law apartment], shop/storage space, additional bedrooms and bath, a home office — or some combination of any or all. On the upper site plane, grass and landscaping occupies most of the former paved area.

There’s a smaller driveway off Taku, including covered parking under the canopy. An electric vehicle charging station, shown here outside the Master Bedroom would be a way to continue the vehicle service legacy of the site in a limited way [perhaps relocated to the street corner?]. Original features including the accent stripes and signage are restored and the building is painted white the same as 1950s Texaco stations.

Under the canopy in the remodeled building. An oil can display in the window acknowledges the building’s past. On the right are the new aluminum framed storefronts in the old garage door openings. On the left is the new entry [one of the old restroom door locations].

Outside the former repair bays, a fire pit area with built-in bi-level deck/bench, timber planter, gravel surface and planting bed border. This will add to the privacy of the living area of the house, and it’s just far enough away and above the highway that it will still be a pleasant place to hang out in the evening, especially at the height of summer when the sun’s path at sunset will wash the north-facing front of the building.

South side, with photovoltaic and thermal solar panel array on the west and south sides of entry addition and south side of living area above the windows.

Open Living/Dining area in the old service bays. Replacement glass block is used on the window on the west end wall since that wall is on the property line and the glass block can meet the required fire rating.

Wouldn’t it be incredible to sit in here on a winter evening and watch snow gently falling, or an aurora through the giant windows?

The main living space is large enough to be very versatile for large gatherings including performances and events.

Kitchen has a 36 inch range, custom hood, taller than normal upper cabinets, 14 foot long island with sink and dishwasher and pendant lighting, 9 foot long bar beyond and walk-in pantry inside the yellow walls. Between the refrigerator and the pantry is an opening to access the entry and bedroom wing.

FRamE Hall of Fame: Robert Liberty

What a joy it was to catch an hour long presentation by Robert Liberty today at Anchorage's City Hall. Anchorage Citizens Coalition brought him to town and titled his talk, Anchorage Can Get It Right. Indeed, Anchorage has been conflicted about growth and densification for awhile now. At this moment it's clear that the physical landscape has changed, and approaches to development and redevelopment practiced in the past are inadequate to enhance present and future quality of life. 

While growth shock is a reality, opinions differ on the causes and best fixes. Just as when accomplished architects and artists visit Alaska on the Alaska Design Forum lecture circuit, or via another organization or venue, a Robert Liberty presentation is a chance to benefit from somebody else's experience [in this case, dealing with redevelopment strategies in a city that's now larger and denser but grew out of similar beginnings]. Portland is 60 years older than Anchorage, and about that many years ahead of us in their thinking and experimentation.

Of course, there's always an undercurrent [or sometimes, more prominent display] of skepticism that says, "This is Anchorage, not Portland; and it can't happen here". Liberty addressed that at the beginning, showing examples of infill redevelopment in cold climate, smaller cities. Yes, it seems that in many cities smaller than Anchorage there are more ambitious plans taking shape. He challenged the notion that we have nothing to learn by Outsiders. And then proceeded to show us some of what has been implemented in Portland without drawing any conclusions, or making any suggestions for Anchorage.

One important distinction he drew was in overall approach: fund outcomes, not projects. He used examples of two controversial projects there: proposed reconstruction of the I-5 bridge over the Columbia River connecting Portland with Vancouver, WA; and a proposal for a western freeway bypass. [Strikes one as so similar to large project proposals here: Knik Arm Crossing and Highway to Highway.] Why not, Liberty asked expand consideration of alternatives to include any that would achieve the same goals? [First, clearly establishing what the goals are.] This is almost opposite of what the typical process is in Southcentral Alaska -- specific projects are planned, and engineering firms and contractors are tasked with writing reports that justify the predetermined outcomes -- often with limited consideration of related consequences.

There's nothing like a couple of powerful aerial photos to help make your points. Liberty showed one of a typical US urban periphery, with a multi-lane freeway passing by marginally used industrial land, not well-connected between surface destinations and not hospitable or desirable. And next to it, about the same filled with a traditional city grid originating in the pre-automobile age. He noted that, in a compact connected grid, even with all the roadways only having two lanes there is a greater vehicle capacity compared with the pattern shown in the first aerial, because there are many alternate routes available.

Another fascinating example was from San Diego, where a road diet project converted a former five lane, two way arterial to two lanes with limited turning, and roundabouts instead of traffic lights at intersections. Where the old setup moved 20,000 vehicles per day, the new one still manages 18,000. With fewer lanes and fewer stops, the traffic moves slower but more continuously. Rather than turning left, one advances to the next roundabout and drives around it, making a 180 and then a right turn to destination. All that was an amazing achievement by itself -- the best part is that with the traffic calmed, the street has now become a desirable place to live and work -- and attracts residential development that never would have occurred along the former roadway.

Liberty wrapped up his talk with accessory dwelling units [a subject near and dear to us at FRamE]. ADUs, he said are an easy way to increase density that doesn't change the current appearance of neighborhoods very much. Anchorage has only had an ADU ordinance for a little over ten years, and they are still not allowed in R-1 zones [where they could possibly have the most positive potential impact]. They haven't really caught on yet, but there's so much potential as a way to leverage property value and diversify the experience of a neighborhood.

Anchorage talked a pretty good game in the late '90s when developing its Comprehensive City Plan, Anchorage 2020. The main focus was enhancing neighborhoods and developing Town Centers [i.e., dense neighborhood commercial centers with mixed use buildings]. In the years following, accomplishments have been disappointing and in many ways we are heading in the wrong direction. Liberty showed how a more honest accounting of goals and parameters would benefit us all, not only the few benefiting from continuation of present trends.

FRamE Hall of Fame: Ralph Alley

Ralph M. Alley was an architect in Anchorage from the 1960s until 1986, when he relocated to California.  He worked for larger firms at first, then in his own practice and later with business partners.  In 1968 when he launched his own firm, Big Oil was ramping up its Alaska investment and a wild time ensued for four decades until the current hangover phase.

My dad had mentioned Alley before, and they were about the same age and were in Architecture school together at the University of Idaho.  Ralph was gifted and stood out amongst his contemporaries, but with a good temperament and enough business sense to be able to succeed.  Somebody who worked for him once told me, "He was a good architect.  Some of his designs were a little weird" -- going on to imply that he was a decent role model and with a great grasp of the essentials [how to wrangle a contractor; how to get projects built the way they were envisioned and so forth].

Ralph was a design guru of Anchorage, in the way that Mark Ivy has been -- and Mike Mense, Catherine Call, Bruce Williams and many others, each in their own fashion.  The clients who were tuned into what Ralph was doing were drawn to him implicitly, and he commanded respect by being thorough and attentive.  I imagine when he told them he was planning a tapered, oval 14 foot high, skylight-topped light well at the peak of the living room ceiling, his judgment was not questioned.

Any great artist notices details at a level far beyond what ordinary humans take in.  In Alley's case that translated to an intricate knowledge and understanding of quality of daylight on a daily, seasonal and annual basis; so unique to polar regions.  A light quality that is stunning and fleeting.  And this study became foundational to his design response to a site.

What I really appreciate about his work is its variety.  He didn't have a "firm signature" or a certain approach that he mined.  Like the musicians I most admire, he didn't stay put; rather, pursued many styles and conceptual frameworks and a truly individual approach to each project.

Some of the larger projects he completed survive relatively intact -- the Captain Cook Hotel, Evergreen Memorial Chapel downtown, and Fairview Recreation Center among them. 

In 1999, Alley returned to Anchorage and conducted a tour of some of his projects.  The tour concentrated on residential work.  In some cases we got to look at the inside and outside of the house. 

I was on the tour in 1999 and took a few photos.

A house on Mallard Lane.  There are two houses on this street and Alley designed them both.  The street is at the north edge of the main campus of the University of Alaska Anchorage.  Both houses are still there but feels like they are threatened by UAA's building boom.  The concrete walls on the lower level have embedded stones like the walls at Taliesin West.  I liked that the house is still a rich dark brown as it was originally.

Another side of the same house.  Notice here that the canopy roof at the beltline is roofed with lapped cedar planks.  Ralph may not have invented this detail, but I hadn't seen it before.

Back yard [south] side of the other house on Mallard.  Can't recall for sure but it may be that the lower portion on the left was an existing house.  Alley's remodels typically involved a thorough reworking of any existing re-used spaces.

And here is the man himself, pointing out some of the details of the roof shape and drainage, and fenestration of a house on Arlington Dr. in Spenard-Turnagain.  Elements are shifted compared with expectations and ostensible placement -- for example, the first floor windows all appear to be typical height and head height, yet the large portion of the first floor is a high ceiling space, the floor of which is below grade and the window sill height is 4 feet.  Alley related a tale of how this house got called the ugliest house in Anchorage.  [It is far from that!]

The roof is an inverted pitch [as can be noticed in the upper right], with drainage through spillways slotted through.  We didn't get to go inside this one -- would have loved to see how the second floor spaces were used.  The balance of the house rambles a bit, taking advantage of its site with its south exposure on the long side of a corner lot.

Street side of house on Hillcrest Dr.  This photo from 2016, since I didn't have one from this side in 1999.  The main entry door [not the original door] in the center between two stealth garage bays.  Inside the door are slatted walls dividing off the garage bays and making a fairly wide passage to the main space of the upper level.

Back to 1999 and the other side of the same house.  This side faces east.  The partially covered decks on two levels are positioned to get good afternoon sun.  In the foreground is Tony Zedda of Kobiyashi Zedda Architects, who was visiting Anchorage at the time and went on the tour.  He was the only one of the group who walked all around each house and observed it from all angles.  I noticed him at each stop when scouting photo locations.

Upper level interior at Hillcrest.  The woman at center frame with red jacket was along with the tour and this house was her childhood home in the '70s.  Her father must have hired Alley to design it.  She hadn't been inside for awhile and seems strangely fascinated.  To her left in the photo, Alley speaks to another tour participant.  On the right of the frame [white hair, glasses and green shirt] is Ed Crittenden [1916-2015], Anchorage architect of major stature.  Ed and Ralph carried on an amusing banter in the van, driving between projects.  It must have been much the same as their '60s and '70s interactions.  Ed's projects were much larger but everybody wanted to hear Ralph talk.  Sort of, the difference between immense respect and true love.

Another 2016 photo, this one of an Alley house on Stanford Dr.  Almost all its original features and color scheme remain.  Love the thin lines projecting down from the gable on the white panels, adding a graceful touch to an assemblage that's otherwise a bit heavy-handed.  This man really knew what to do with a few good diagonal walls, and how to articulate a façade.  The entry area is a recent remodel, but a sensitive one. 

Further to the right on the same street side of the house, 17 years ago with the tour group.  This roof projection begins at the cantilevered beam as a soffit, and somewhere between there and the corner of the house becomes a fascia.  And more of the thin line accents on a white field.

This house, more than any of the others we saw that day was where Alley's full range of creativity and novel concepts were unleashed.  Someplace in the middle is a standard Turnagain tract house that left its foundation and slid down the street during the 1964 earthquake.  The house was moved to this lot [off Raspberry Rd., west of Sand Lake Rd.] the following year, and surrounded by multi-level additions.  This house was designed for Lowell Thomas Jr., an adventurer/entertainment producer and former Lt. Governor of Alaska.  Thomas and his wife sold the house and moved to Hillside after the construction of a perpendicular runway at the airport made the neighborhood a lot less peaceful than previous, but the house survives fairy intact.  There is a large living room with dark stained shelving that used to house Thomas's fabulous book and artwork collection.