Chilkat Valley News - Serving Haines and Klukwan, Alaska since 1966

It’s so sad seeing the derelict, abandoned buildings in Fort Seward. I think this is a serious issue. As a skilled laborer, it bothers me that the work that went into these buildings is just being wasted. It’s bad to leave these buildings in a state of rot and ruin to our children.

Apparently, someone once agreed with me when they wrote the borough code, section 8.12 about public nuisance buildings. The code allows the borough to demand the property owner take action if the building is found to be in “a state of disrepair or deterioration” or an “attractive nuisance.” About twenty years ago, a deck collapsed on the barracks building and the fire chief went over to see. He then wrote a letter to the manager at the time saying the building needed to be condemned.

Unfortunately, the borough or the property owners haven’t done anything for the last twenty years. Why someone would not sell their building when they had a chance and get a little money and move on with their life without an albatross around their neck and a huge financial liability on their books is a mystery.

If you think something needs to be done, say something to a borough assembly or planning commission member or the Mayor or manager. Email the planner. They have the power and the duty to do something.

I’m baffled that the paper doesn’t think it’s a story about the public nuisance buildings in our historical district, one of our go-to tourist attractions.

Joe Parnell