The borough's capital facilities director, Amber Al-Haddad, stands in what had been the long-term care unit at the Wrangell hospital building. The borough is taking bids on the unused property, with offers due by June 30.
The borough has listed the former Wrangell Medical Center for sale to the highest bidder until June 30, at a minimum bid of $830,000, the value assigned by an April appraisal.
The hospital has been vacant since health care provider SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium moved into its new building in February 2021. The borough has been spending close to $100,000 a year to heat and insure the empty structure, and the assembly has decided to sell the surplus property.
The lot is 1.95 acres, on Bennett Street between Reid Street and First Avenue next to the elementary school. It is being sold as-is. The 30,596-square-foot building, originally constructed in 1967, includes additions in 1974, 1988 and 1994, according to documents accompanying the bid notice.
A 2018 survey details the location of asbestos materials, including the roofing, tiles, gypsum wallboards, window caulk from patient rooms and fire-rated doors.
Bids are due at City Hall by noon June 30, at which time they will be opened and read aloud in the borough assembly chambers.
The building and anything inside goes with the sale, except for the equipment currently stored in the small garage of the hospital, which Hospice of Wrangell operates as a medical loan closet. This equipment, such as hospital-type beds, walkers, foot braces, grabbers, wheelchairs, bedpans and portable toilet chairs, will be moved by July 31 or the closing day of the building sale, whichever is earlier.
Alice Rooney, president at Hospice of Wrangell and backup volunteer for the loan closet under fellow volunteer Don McConachie, said Friday they are looking around for an alternative site, "just in case a good bid is OK'd."
Long shot, Rooney said, she hopes a new owner "might let us stay for at least a while."
Bid documents at https://bit.ly/3Q04Zih include the appraisal, aerial maps, mechanical and electrical deficiencies, building condition survey, and the asbestos report.
If the winning bid is over $1 million, voter approval is required to sell the property. It would be added to the regular election ballot on Oct. 4. The winning bidder would pay a 20% down payment, and would not have to pay the full balance until the October election results are certified by the borough assembly.
People with questions about the bid process and property can call Capital Facilities Director Amber Al-Haddad at 907-874-3902.
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