Vote yes on mill property

Wrangell should vote yes on Oct. 4, giving the borough permission to sell or lease the former 6-Mile sawmill property — if a private developer steps forward.

This isn’t a final vote on a development plan, and any sale or lease would require borough assembly approval, a public hearing and a lot of public information. This is a let’s-be-prepared vote to save time in case the borough receives an offer. It would allow borough officials to negotiate a sale or lease and present it to the assembly for a public hearing and consideration without having to wait for the next election.

The borough purchased the waterfront property in June for $2.5 million, looking to preserve the parcel intact and hoping to attract private investment and economic development for the community. The intent is to recoup the borough’s investment, get the property back on the tax rolls as soon as possible, and create jobs. To do that, the borough needs voter permission.

There is no cost to residents of voting yes on the ballot measure. The cost could be a lost opportunity if the borough has to hold on to the property any longer than needed.