Legislature(2001 - 2002)
03/27/2001 03:37 PM House HES
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HB 96-ACQUIRING JESSE LEE HOME CHAIR DYSON announced that the committee would hear testimony on HOUSE BILL NO. 96, "An Act relating to acquisition and development of the Jesse Lee Home; and providing for an effective date." Number 0180 REPRESENTATIVE KEN LANCASTER, Alaska State Legislature, came forth as sponsor of HB 96. He stated that HB 96 would set up a task force to pursue the acquisition of the Jesse Lee Home. He explained that this facility was registered in 1995 as an historic place and has played a critical role in serving the health care and educational needs of Alaskan Native children. He added that the Alaskan flag was designed and raised on the site by John "Benny" Benson Jr. CHAIR DYSON asked what kind of shape the building is in. REPRESENTATIVE LANCASTER answered that the building was badly damaged during the 1964 earthquake. Frank Eirick (ph) purchased the building and planned to develop it into a home or hotel; that has never been done. One of the portions of the property has been sold; therefore, two and a half acres are left. He remarked that an engineer's report, which is somewhat dated, says that the building would need extensive work in order for it to be habitable. The Kenai Peninsula Borough is currently foreclosing the property, which would then be handed over to the City of Seward. The community [in Seward] would like it to come under the auspices of the state. CHAIR DYSON asked if state money would be involved. REPRESENTATIVE LANCASTER responded that there wouldn't be in the initial portion. Number 0330 TIM SCZAWINSKI testified via teleconference in support of HB 96. He stated that this building has been in a state of disrepair for a long time and is probably beyond Seward's financial abilities. However, he said, every year hundreds of thousands of tourists come to [Seward] and ask why nothing has been done to the place where [Alaska's] flag was first designed. He added: I know it's not real common and usual for the State of Alaska to take over the management and the financial part of historic monuments, but I think this is one of those opportunities where everybody can forget a little bit about geography and where this is located and realize that this is a place that should be important to all of us. Number 0480 GEORGE SMITH, Deputy Director, Libraries, Archives & Museums, Department of Education and Early Development, came forth and stated that he is surprised that [the legislature] is giving the responsibility to do the initial assessment to the State Museum and the museum's collection advisory committee. He explained that [Libraries, Archives & Museums] has no expertise or experience in this area; therefore, an engineer would have to be hired to do the assessment and evaluation. He noted that there are historical sites in the state that are managed by the state, but not by the museums. REPRESENTATIVE WILSON asked what other departments already have those duties. MR. SMITH responded that Department of Natural Resources manages the Wickersham House, the [Ernst] Gruening Cabin, Rika's Landing Roadhouse, and the Independence Mine; the Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs manages the Veterans' Memorial; and the Department of Transportation & Public Facilities manages several monuments along the Parks Highway and the Richardson Highway REPRESENTATIVE COGHILL stated that there are several historical preservation societies that probably have done this type of work and have hired engineers. He asked if this is something [the legislature] should look into. MR. SMITH replied that could be a possibility. He stated that there are about 20 to 25 historical societies in the state. Number 0670 REPRESENTATIVE STEVENS stated that Seward has a nice museum and suggested that it might be appropriate to ask them to do that. He added that whoever does [the assessment] is going to have an expense and will need to hire an engineer. MR. SMITH remarked that Representative Lancaster mentioned that several years ago somebody from an engineering firm did an assessment. This was done for a company in the Seward area that was interested in purchasing and renovating the property. CHAIR DYSON asked what Representative Lancaster's intention is. REPRESENTATIVE LANCASTER responded that he thinks the same firm that did [the aforementioned assessment] would give an update. CHAIR DYSON asked Representative Lancaster what appropriate body he intends to have manage this project. REPRESENTATIVE LANCASTER replied that he couldn't answer that. Number 0758 REPRESENTATIVE WILSON stated that she thinks it is a good idea, as was mentioned earlier, for the property to be handed over to the City of Seward. REPRESENTATIVE LANCASTER responded that it should be part of the state's historical record rather than the city's because it is a statewide entity. He noted that [the home] started in Unalaska. CHAIR DYSON asked what the City of Seward wants done with it. REPRESENTATIVE LANCASTER answered that [Seward] would like for [the State of Alaska] to take it over. Number 0860 REPRESENTATIVE KOHRING remarked that there was a dilapidated building that had historical value in Wasilla, called the Teelands Country Store. He stated that the city itself raised the money to [renovate] the building. He remarked that perhaps contributions from within the community could be pursued further. He added that he thinks if [a site] is listed under the national historic register, there might be some dollars at the federal level. REPRESENTATIVE LANCASTER stated that [this legislation] envisions the task force coming up with the best course of action to go forward. [HB 96 was held over.]
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