A Prince William Sound Science Center proposal to purchase city property for a new research and education campus is drawing strong support, and set for a second reading at the April 4 Cordova City Council meeting.
The first reading of Ordinance 1168 was passed by the council on March 21, after council members considered numerous letters of support and heard public comment on the proposed ordinance.
The ordinance authorizes “the sale and conveyance of ASLS 2001-5 according to the Plat number 2006-9 to the Prince William Sound Science Center and Technology Institute, for $50,000”.
PWSSC president and chief executive officer Katrina Hoffman was among those addressing the council on March 21.
“I really feel that making this sale is an important step in the economic development of our community,” she said. “It will allow us as an organization to diversify our programming.”
Hoffman spoke of the center’s involvement in the community, including hosting Tuesday Night Talks, summer camps, large investments in city-owned buildings and coaching Cordova’s Alaska Tsunami Ocean Sciences Bowl teams.
“Since 1989, the science center has brought in $90 million,” Hoffman told the council. “In developing a new research and education campus on that site, our goal is to continue supporting a resilient future for Cordova and Prince William Sound and the region.”
Others, including Cordova School District Superintendent Alex Russin, Eyak Corporation Chief Executive Officer Rod Worl and Cordova Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Cathy Renfeldt, wrote letters in support of the ordinance.
Other agenda items included discussion of the disposal and method of disposal for Lot 4A, Block 5, North Fill Development Park and Tracts 7, 8 and 9B, Group C, ASLS 73-35.
The council moved to refer to staff for further discussion and to gather more background information for the disposal and method of disposal for the North Fill Development Park.
The council directed staff to request sealed proposals to gather more background information in regard to the 5-Mile Loop Road letter of interest.
The council and others felt that the letter lacked details and that residents should be allowed more time to gather information on the proposed bid.
The planning commission will advertise for sealed proposals for those lots.
