William A. Egan Civic and Convention Center

History

The William A. Egan Civic and Convention Center, 555 West Fifth Avenue, is Anchorage’s first purpose-built convention center. It opened in April 1984 as part of Project 80s, on the site of the original Z. J. Loussac Library, and is named for Alaska’s first state governor. Edwin B. Crittenden (CCC Architects) designed the glass-fronted building; a skywalk across Fifth Avenue links it to the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts. Explorers Hall (19,306 square feet) has hosted concerts as well as conventions. Sources: Wikipedia; Alaska Business Magazine, Feb. 3, 2025; Visit Anchorage, “Celebrating 40 Years,” May 1, 2024, and the Egan venue page.