While finding the money to fix everything wrong with the rot-damaged Public Safety Building is far outside the budget, the borough hopes that it can replace the deteriorated roof, siding, windows and doors.
At an Aug. 12 meeting, the assembly unanimously approved moving to the next step — a public hearing — toward putting a $3 million bond issue before voters on the Oct. 1 municipal election ballot. This funding, if Wrangell also receives the $2.4 million it has requested in federal assistance, would provide the borough with enough money to complete the proposed renovations.
The assembly will hold a public hearing on the ballot measure at its Aug. 27 meeting.
If members approve adding the question to the ballot, it would be the second time the issue comes before voters. In 2022, voters rejected a proposed $8.5 million bond issue for a longer list of Public Safety Building renovations. The measure lost by 65 votes out of 586 ballots cast.
This time around, though, borough officials hope voters are willing to support the scaled-back building repair project.
The bond issue could be repaid from borough revenues over 40 years.
Assembly members are adamant that the condition of the 40-year-old, wood-framed building that houses Wrangell’s police and fire departments, the state court, jail and state Division of Motor Vehicles offices is growing untenable. According to Villarma, if action is not taken soon, future renovation projects will be much more costly.
“We’ve been studying the condition of the building since 2004, and its condition has definitely not gotten any better,” Mayor Patty Gilbert said.
A 2021 engineering report for the borough highlighted multiple areas in need of repair, particularly severe rot. The report estimated a full repair project at close to $12 million, including mechanical and electrical systems. An entirely new building was estimated at around $30 million.
For the borough, renovating the building’s shell is not only in line with its structural needs but exemplifies its continued commitment to repairing and maintaining borough infrastructure.
“Having the high school refreshed and the post office looking shiny and new, this is a great next step in keeping the town’s important buildings looking clean,” Assembly Member Bob Dalrymple said at the Aug. 12 meeting.
While looking to voters to approve borrowing $3 million and looking to Congress to appropriate $2.4 million for the work, the borough is prepared to adjust if one funding source falls through. According to Villarma, the solution would be simple: Further scale down the project.
Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski has submitted the federal funding request, which is waiting on Congress to pass a federal budget for next year.
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