The Wrangell Borough Assembly will consider authorizing the sale of six lots behind the old medical center to Wasilla resident Jiaying Lu. That’s one of the topics at the assembly meeting tonight. Jiaying and her partner intend to develop a 16-unit multifamily housing complex. The appraised value for the lots is $316,800.
The assembly discussed the potential sale during a May 13 meeting where a handful of residents opposed the development. Many opponents were concerned about parking on the narrow dirt road. The borough clerk said after the public hearing that they could protest the sale by June 9. The assembly meeting packet states no protests were received.
Lu declared in the application that she served the Wrangell community as a nurse for two years and her Alaska Native partner, Levi Miller, was born on the island.
She said, “This project will provide clean, energy-efficient homes for local residents, families, essential workers, supporting both the wellbeing and growth of the community.”
The application stated that the developers will use weather-resistant construction materials, like metal roofing and moisture-resistant siding.
It also said that there will be exterior lighting and on-site parking, leaving minimal impact to public streets.
Waterfront development
In new business, the assembly will consider transferring $25,000 from the borough’s port fund reserves to the professional services account.
This action would authorize cost estimates for the waterfront development to possibly accommodate American Cruise Lines’ small cruise ships. The ships accommodate up to 170 passengers each.
The monetary transfer would go towards researching costs for tideland fill and/or other infrastructure to accommodate the ship dock. It would also be used to project costs for improving the Old Mill Dock, which is adjacent to the area downtown. This is in relation to possibly moving forward with developing a 40-year partnership between the borough and American Cruise Lines.
The Wrangell Borough Assembly will hold its regular meeting on Tuesday, June 10 at 7 p.m. in the Borough Assembly Chambers at Wrangell City Hall. A workshop with the Marine Service Center will be held before the meeting, at 6 p.m.
You can listen to the live broadcast of the Wrangell Borough Assembly meeting on KSTK fm 101.7, or stream online at KSTK.org.
