Wrangell’s borough assembly will discuss its capital project priorities at a special meeting Wednesday. The list will be sent to the state and federal governments with the hopes that the projects will get funding.
The borough’s state priorities are eight projects, which include the Inner Harbor replacement and McKinnon Street rehabilitation.
Other state priorities include a roof recoating at the Nolan Center and replacement of the elevator at the Public Safety Building.
The assembly is also prioritizing the Shoemaker Harbor boat ramp replacement and planning the downtown waterfront.
Federal legislative capital priorities
The assembly will also review seven federal legislative capital priorities for fiscal year 2027. These include the Marine Highway freight terminal and barge ramp; development of the Deepwater Port Subdivision.
Following that is federal support for the flume replacement for reclamation and drought resiliency; downtown port expansion.
Flume replacement replaces aging water transportation channels with stronger and robust infrastructure to prevent water loss.
Another federal priority is the replacement of the diesel power plant roof.
Projects on both federal and state lists
Two projects appear on both the state and federal priority lists: Wrangell Harbor Basin dredging and wastewater treatment upgrades for effluent disinfection.
The dredging request also includes support for programmatic funding through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ maintenance dredging program.
Also at the meeting, assembly members will take public comment on a proposed tidelands lease with American Cruise Lines. The 40-year lease would allow construction, operation, and shared use of passenger docking facilities at the Port of Wrangell. The agreement requires a minimum of 40 cruise ship dockings per year, with an initial annual base rent of $50,000. Annual rent increases would be capped at three percent.
The Wrangell Borough Assembly will meet January 7 at 6 p.m. at City Hall. A work session on the American Cruise Lines contract is scheduled for 5:30 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 or on the city’s website.
