I want to compliment the borough manager and borough assembly for their initiative in recognizing the opportunity that is before the community in moving the barge ramp out to the old 6-Mile mill site.
The removal of the unsightly containers in the gateway location adjacent to the City Dock remedies an unsightly view for visitors arriving by cruise ship. Further, by moving the facility, there will be substantial savings in having adequate space for storage of the containers, as well as providing available warehouse space for future needs.
Most importantly is the recognition that after spending $2.5 million of borough funds to buy the mill property, we’re finally developing an industrial-transportation site at the most preferred location available in Southeast Alaska.
With the decline in the timber industry, we must look toward our visitor industry for the economic stimulus that we once had associated with our timber industry.
The recognition of the interest in developing a floating dock downtown to accommodate smaller cruise ships is already underway and can only become a reality if the containers are removed. The future of Wrangell is in your making.
Frank H. Murkowski