The Sitka Assembly authorized a 20-year lease of land to Alaska Native corporation for development for cruise passengers.
The Assembly (voting 5-2) approved leasing a total of 17 acres to Shee Atika Inc, which intends to work with another company, Adventure Sitka, in order to develop the land with attractions like zip-lines, a canoe launch, and a salmon bake.
The land is between Sitka Sound Cruise Terminal and the ferry terminal.
According to Chris McGraw, who manages Adventure Sitka and owns the terminal, the development of the property would be "an important part of handling an expected large number of tourists."
Karl Potts, CEO of Shee Atika Inc., said the lease would generate US$400,000 per year for the port city of Sitka (Baranof Island, Alaska).
Adventure Sitka (tour agency) and Shee Atika Inc were the only respondents to a request for proposals to buy/lease the property. Elements of the site plan need approval by the local Planning Commission.