Haines Borough Manager Mark Earnest said he expected to have information for the assembly on possible municipal purchase of Picture Point property at its Nov. 30 meeting.
Earnest confirmed he’s working with a representative of Roger Beasley, who recently purchased the five-acre property from the Fairbanks-based Narada Trust. Earnest said a non-disclosure agreement with Beasley prohibited him from speaking about a deal with the municipality.
The borough is believed to be working toward acquisition of one or two scenic pullouts known locally as “Picture Point,” a popular spot for residents and camera-toting visitors. Under such a scenario, other parts of the property, including a wider section north of the pullouts suitable for a house site, would remain with Beasley.
Beasley is an Austin, Texas-based car salesman who owns Lynn View Lodge in Haines and a mini-storage on Piedad Road. Beasley did not return newspaper messages but issued a statement through local spokesman Jim Studley .
Studley said, “Mr. Beasley would be interested in working with a buyer (such as the Haines Borough) that would purchase the property for some public use; however, if it is not the wish of the borough residents, then he will consider other alternatives for development and plans to move forward with a subdivision of some sort.”
Studley, a local realtor, described the lot as an “exceptional area of our waterfront that could have multiple uses but current borough code only allows for housing, gardens, a church or a fence.”
Studley said many residents have expressed support for public use of the property similar to a recent picnic area at Tanani Point.