Daily Sitka Sentinel

GPIP Board Hears New Haulout Proposal

By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
    The Gary Paxton Industrial Park board gave its approval Wednesday for the city to “move forward with further negotiations” on Halibut Point Marine’s plan for a new boat haulout facility at the park, with a few adjustments.
    Halibut Point Marine operates Sitka’s only public Travelift haulout business, but manager Chris McGraw has given notice that he will shut it down by the summer of 2021 as the company focuses more on its growing business related to its cruise ship dock.
    Citing his experience in building and operating a haulout, McGraw has offered to build a new one at the industrial park. Under his plan, the facility would be operated by the city, and he would build it at his expense in return for the title to 17 acres of city land 10 miles away, near his industrial property on Halibut Point Road.
    GPIP Manager Garry White said the cost of building a haulout at the park is estimated at $7 million to $8 million, which the city does not have available.
    At White’s suggestion the park board members did not weigh in on McGraw’s land trade proposal, but did state their approval for the city to continue to “move forward with further negotiations” on a plan for a new haulout.
    “The goal was for the board and public to look at the proposed infrastructure at the park and make sure it’s adequate for the fleet’s needs,” White said in an interview today. “Not the merits of the trade but whether it was the correct infrastructure for the haulout. ... I was very clear: we were not here to discuss the trade.”
    About 50 members of the public, including commercial fishermen and tradesmen who might benefit from a new haulout, attended the GPIP meeting at Harrigan Centennial Hall.
    Adding a boat haulout has been identified by the Assembly and the GPIP board as a high priority item for the park. Advocates say a haulout is not only a vital service at present, but is needed for expansion of Sitka’s marine services industry.
    White said the industrial park board voted unanimously to recommend that the city continue moving forward with negotiations with Halibut Point Marine for a new haulout at the park. He said the vote was in line with the “positive feedback” expressed by those attending the more than two-hour meeting.
    Some of the comments from those at the meeting suggested:
    – a 26-foot wide, 100-ton capacity Travelift would be adequate for most commercial and recreational boats in Sitka. Increasing the capacity to 150 tons would add $1 million to $1.5 million to the cost.
    – the fleet probably needs a bigger washdown pad than the one in McGraw’s original proposal.
    – the Travelift should be new, not second-hand.
    White said there was also general agreement by those at the meeting that facilities should include a finger float alongside the lift site to help vessels get into place, and also a way for the boat operator to come ashore before the boat is hauled out. He also said a site in the industrial park other than the one in the present proposal might be a better fit for the haulout, due to concerns about the water depth.
    McGraw said he was encouraged by the reception to his proposal by those at the meeting, who by and large liked the plans but had suggestions for adjustments. He said he believes he has put a fair offer on the table.
    “It’s a creative way of the city getting the haulout facility without spending money,” he said today. “It’s about the best option the city has.”
    In other business, White asked for feedback on strategic planning for the park.
    “I’m already getting people wanting to buy property,” he said. White said he asked the board whether to put out an RFP open to all offers, or entertain offers as they come in.
    The board opted to go the RFP route, and asked White to develop an RFP for support services and locations of businesses, and hold off on individual offers to purchase land.