Sitka opens bidding on Gary Paxton industrial lot, proposals due Oct. 29

Private developers have until Oct. 29, 2026, to submit proposals to build on Lot 16B at Sitka's Gary Paxton Industrial Park, under a request for proposals (a solicitation inviting competing development concepts rather than a straight low-bid contract) issued by Sitka.

The solicitation is administered through the municipality's Finance Department and posted on BidExpress.com, the city's online bid portal, where prospective bidders can register and review the solicitation. The city states that it is the bidder's responsibility to regularly check for addenda to the projects for which they have registered, and that Sitka is not responsible for sending addenda out to bidders.

The lot is one of several parcels at the former pulp mill site moving toward long-term lease. The Sitka Assembly's July 28 agenda included approval of two requests for proposals for private-sector development at the park, alongside a proposed lease of Block 4, Lot 1 to the Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association. Alaska News previously covered that hatchery lease.

The Sitka Sentinel reported in a January 2025 account of a park board meeting that the board was advancing a proposed request for proposals covering property next to the haulout and shipyard.