A twenty-story motor court is planned for Pyramid Island, it was announced yesterday by Samanda Motor Inns. A spokesman for the company stated it will be entering formal final negotiations to purchase Mud Bay cliffs and the island within the next 30 days. Plans call for rock and stone from the cliffs to be used to build a causeway from Mud Bay Road at a point opposite the cabin presently occupied by Kent Greentree.
Howard D. Smith, vice president in charge of new construction for Samanda, when contacted this a.m. said plans had been developed quietly during the past 18 months and that construction on the causeway is scheduled to begin as soon as title to the properties is secured, probably within 4-5 days.
Construction of the facility itself will begin immediately thereafter. An opening date is projected for six months from the start of construction for the causeway.
Due to the increased tourism concentrated at the Eagle Preserve, the company feels there is a viable need for such a facility. The location will provide 360-degree view potential. Plans call for construction of 20-story twin towers, a modern design of yellow stucco poured concrete, to accommodate 1,000 people. Parking space will be provided by filling in and extending the island on the sand flats to the north.
Emergency parking facilities can be provided on the east and west sides at low tide.
Since the location is outside the city limits, no City of Haines action is necessary. No zoning laws are in effect within the borough. However, the company will present an environmental impact statement and preliminary plans before the next Borough Council session scheduled for the 24th. Also at that meeting the company will present a favorable State of Alaska Visitors Association statement of need and concern written last year and not publicly released until this time.
Upon researching the title to the Island and the cliffs, it was found that title to both properties is held by the Corps of Engineers Survey Section, an obscure agency that recently has been ordered to negotiate the sale of all excess properties it holds. When contacted, this agency stated that the two properties were listed approximately two years ago and only the Samanda group had expressed interest before the deadline. Price has been negotiated and the passage of deeds can be accomplished immediately with no public hearings or comments.
Fish and Game officials were noticeably apprehensive regarding the use of the island. It is the only local breeding area for arctic terns and several other species of shorebirds. Also there is concern for tidal flow and the passage of the salmon to spawning areas and the potential for pollution of the river system.
The local visitors association spokesman was not aware of the plans and while agreeing that there was a need for more motel facilities, was surprised at the location chosen and reserved comment at this time.
John Hall, city mayor and William Hendrick, borough mayor, both expressed amazement that they had not been previously informed. Both wished to contact legal counsel before commenting on the planned development.
Submitted by Betty Holgate for April Fool’s Day, 1985, written as an example of outrageous fiction in the fall 1984 University of Alaska Creative Writing course.
Editor’s note: This story was published digitally in 2025 but originally ran in the March 18, 1985 edition of the Chilkat Valley News.
Condominium planned for Pyramid Island
A twenty-story motor court is planned for Pyramid Island, it was announced yesterday by Samanda Motor Inns. A spokesman for the company stated it will be entering formal final negotiations to purchase Mud Bay cliffs and the island within the next 30 days. Plans call for rock and stone from the cliffs to be used to build a causeway from Mud Bay Road at a point opposite the cabin presently occupied by Kent Greentree.
Howard D. Smith, vice president in charge of new construction for Samanda, when contacted this a.m. said plans had been developed quietly during the past 18 months and that construction on the causeway is scheduled to begin as soon as title to the properties is secured, probably within 4-5 days.
Construction of the facility itself will begin immediately thereafter. An opening date is projected for six months from the start of construction for the causeway.
Due to the increased tourism concentrated at the Eagle Preserve, the company feels there is a viable need for such a facility. The location will provide 360-degree view potential. Plans call for construction of 20-story twin towers, a modern design of yellow stucco poured concrete, to accommodate 1,000 people. Parking space will be provided by filling in and extending the island on the sand flats to the north.
Emergency parking facilities can be provided on the east and west sides at low tide.
Since the location is outside the city limits, no City of Haines action is necessary. No zoning laws are in effect within the borough. However, the company will present an environmental impact statement and preliminary plans before the next Borough Council session scheduled for the 24th. Also at that meeting the company will present a favorable State of Alaska Visitors Association statement of need and concern written last year and not publicly released until this time.
Upon researching the title to the Island and the cliffs, it was found that title to both properties is held by the Corps of Engineers Survey Section, an obscure agency that recently has been ordered to negotiate the sale of all excess properties it holds. When contacted, this agency stated that the two properties were listed approximately two years ago and only the Samanda group had expressed interest before the deadline. Price has been negotiated and the passage of deeds can be accomplished immediately with no public hearings or comments.
Fish and Game officials were noticeably apprehensive regarding the use of the island. It is the only local breeding area for arctic terns and several other species of shorebirds. Also there is concern for tidal flow and the passage of the salmon to spawning areas and the potential for pollution of the river system.
The local visitors association spokesman was not aware of the plans and while agreeing that there was a need for more motel facilities, was surprised at the location chosen and reserved comment at this time.
John Hall, city mayor and William Hendrick, borough mayor, both expressed amazement that they had not been previously informed. Both wished to contact legal counsel before commenting on the planned development.
Submitted by Betty Holgate for April Fool’s Day, 1985, written as an example of outrageous fiction in the fall 1984 University of Alaska Creative Writing course.
Editor’s note: This story was published digitally in 2025 but originally ran in the March 18, 1985 edition of the Chilkat Valley News.