Sitka Assembly reconsiders hatchery lease at Gary Paxton park

Sitka's Assembly meets Tuesday to decide whether to lease part of the Gary Paxton Industrial Park to a Southeast hatchery group, and whether to open two more parcels there to private bidders.

The hatchery lease returns as a reconsideration. The ordinance would give Block 4, Lot 1 to the Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association.

Who gets the park, and on what terms, has been contested since at least 2021, when the Assembly voted 5-1 to hand the new haul-out and shipyard to Kodiak-based Highmark Marine Fabrication. Fishermen objected then to the operator's first right of refusal on additional park land, the one-year renewal provisions, and what they called a thin return for the borough.

Also up: supplemental money for the Parks and Recreation master plan, a fee waiver at Harrigan Centennial Hall, a fiscal 2027 legislative grant pick, and next steps on the municipal administrator search.

The meeting starts at 6 p.m.