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A
group of local fishermen are looking to construct a warehouse and gear shop on
Near Island. But the project hinges on the city council approving the sale of
property to them. KMXT’s Casey Kelly has more.
Boat
owner Jay Stinson is leading a group that wants to buy a lot on Near Island, on
the same road as the Near Island Research Center and the Kodiak Fisheries
Industrial Technology Center. At last week’s city council meeting, Stinson said
the property would house a warehouse and possibly a retail space for fishermen
looking to mend nets and repair gear.
(Stinson
1 :39s “…professional help if need be.”)
Stinson
said new rules since September 11th have made it harder for
fishermen to find good places to do gear work. He said a facility like the one
he’s proposing would benefit Kodiak’s economy.
(Stinson
2 :28s “…operations in Dutch Harbor.”)
But
Councilman Charlie Davidson, who has opposed development projects on Near
Island in the past, wondered if the property was zoned for the type of work
that Stinson and his partners are planning. Stinson told the council that this
was a good location that would fit in well with the surrounding buildings and
landscape.
(Stinson
3 :46s “…and design of the property.”)
But
Davidson remained unconvinced.
(Davidson
1 :47s “…would be more appropriate.”)
Councilman
Tom Walters said he didn’t see a problem with putting a warehouse there. He
said Kodiak is a fishing community, and he supports anything that keeps it that
way.
(Walters
1 :35s “…and zoning, let ‘em build it.”)
Councilman
Terry Haines, a fisherman, agreed with Walters.
(Haines
1 :40s “…I would support this.”)
The
ordinance passed in the first reading by a 4 to 1 vote with Davidson the only
no vote. Next month the council will take it up in second reading and hold a
public hearing. If it passes then, the sale of the property will be approved.
The
property, which is about 24-thousand square feet, has been appraised at 4
dollars 25 cents per square foot. City Manager Linda Freed says it is zoned
commercial.
I’m
Casey Kelly.
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