Anchorage and its frozen trails and Mobile with its heritage oak trees sit at polar ends of the United States, separated by more than 4,300 miles with vastly different climates, terrain, and traditions.
Mobile celebrates Mardi Gras, Anchorage hosts the world-famous Iditarod Sled Dog Race.
Yet despite their differences, the two cities share something unusual in both timing and necessity: they have long leased their City Hall space. And in a curious twist, both have paid nearly identical sums in rent. Mobile has spent more than $60 million for Government Plaza since 1995, while Anchorage has paid around the same amount to lease its City Hall from a private owner since 1979.
al.com
by John Sharp
Dec. 21, 2025