The public often gets frustrated at government planning, the pace of decision making and the meetings, reviews and studies that are part of the process.
But making the right decisions takes time, and it sure beats hasty, ill-informed decisions.
Wrangell is preparing for a couple of important decisions that will have a significant effect on the community, particularly its future economy: How should the borough sell the 40 residential lots at the Alder Top Village (Keishangita.’aan) subdivision? How can Wrangell best market itself to visitors?
Both decisions involve housing, jobs, attracting people to spend money in town — all of which Wrangell needs for a healthier economy.
Borough staff and the economic development advisory board are considering options for the land sale, including whether the parcels should go to the highest bidders or be sold at a fixed price in a lottery — or a mix of both. Should there be a limit on how many lots any one person can buy? Should there be a time limit to build, to guard against people buying and holding the lots for speculation?
Borough code says the municipality needs to sell property for fair market value, but the assembly can cut the price to promote economic development. No doubt there will be a fair amount of debate whether the borough should discount the price, which would be good for buyers but perhaps undercut any private land sales.
The borough is conducting a community survey and the economic development board will meet Nov. 16 to consider options before making a recommendation to the assembly, which will make the final decision on how to sell the land, with a sale currently planned for some time next year.
The other important economic decision facing the community is how to sell Wrangell — not land but the community. What is the best way to draw more tourists — but not gobs more like Juneau, Ketchikan and Sitka — to town, bringing their money with them?
The Economic Development Department staff and Wrangell Convention and Visitor Bureau are reviewing the community’s marketing strategy. At last month’s meeting, a visitor bureau member described Wrangell’s visitor demographic as “well-traveled, well-to-do … (and) most likely 75.” Just as other Alaska communities have expanded their marketing over the years to attract more than just senior citizens (no offense to seniors), the visitor bureau is thinking that way, too.
The ideal tourist, according to the marketing plan being developed, is between 35 and 55 years old, active on social media and lives in a dual-income household — meaning they have money to spend on vacations, such as Stikine River trips, icefield tours, charter fishing, camping and so much more than just wandering through town for a few hours while their cruise ship is in port.
The tourism marketing strategy and subdivision land sales may seem like more bureaucratic decision making, but they are important to the community. The borough is working hard to get them right.
— Wrangell Sentinel
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