The borough assembly has taken the first step toward assisting WCA’s purchase of land just south of the Wrangell Medical Center, where the tribal council plans to build a cultural center.
Though Tribal Administrator Esther Aaltséen Reese said any ribbon-cutting ceremony would be at least a few years away, Borough Manager Mason Villarma said the borough and WCA hope to have the rezoning and borough land sale finalized by the end of the year.
The new cultural center will be built behind the WCA offices on Zimovia Highway, and Reese said the campus would provide classrooms for children and spaces for tribal elders to gather. She wants the center to be capable of hosting community events and a commercial kitchen will likely be included in any design. She also envisions a second story with apartments.
WCA also plans for the property to contain “a community garden, recycling station and a winding handicap-accessible path through the campus surrounded by important medicinal and edible plants.”
Reese believes constructing the apartments atop the cultural center would not only make the project more viable, but it would help counter Wrangell’s housing woes.
The assembly on Nov. 18 approved the first reading of an ordinance to rezone seven parcels to allow development of a community center. A public hearing and second reading of the zoning change from open space public to mixed-use is scheduled for the Dec. 17 assembly meeting.
The assembly also plans on finalizing the land sale in that same meeting. One of the parcels is owned by the borough; the other six properties are owned by WCA, Tlingit and Haida Regional Housing Authority, SEARHC or private individuals.
The project is still in the ideas phase, and Reese said WCA will take everything into account before moving forward with any plans.
"We've talked about this over the years,” she said. “We'll gather together all of our wish lists, and our architect can help us determine the size of the building.”
The construction phase of the project could cost WCA around $4 million, according to the tribal council’s land purchase application to the borough. The price of the borough parcel will be determined by an appraisal.
Previously, the WCA carving shed on Front Street was able to provide ample space for community outreach programs and other events. However, since a totem-carving program now occupies the building (and since WCA plans on continuing its totem-carving endeavors), building a more all-encompassing culture center is a logical next step.
For funding, Reese said the project is largely dependent on grants. WCA plans on targeting funds from multiple sources, aiming to acquire federal money and large donations from individual donors. Reese described fundraising for the project as a “multi-pronged approach.”
Though the project is far from finalized, Reese said that the prospect of it is building some fervor around town.
“Everyone we’ve talked with is extremely excited.”
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