I’m so sad to see the hospital building in Fort Seward go the way of the barracks building.

Most people know the hospital building as Alaska Indian Arts. This was the best building in the best town. It has history, architecture, location, and the people who built it and then rebuilt it decades ago put their hearts into the job.

I am suggesting that the owner, Port Chilkoot Co., sell the hospital building and let someone fix it up and use it before it’s too late, if it’s not already.

I’ve traveled around the country and seen buildings like this many times. They go years or decades without being used and become a blight for the city they’re in. In Mexico, local government would take over such a building because it’s abandoned.

I know that’s not our system here but there is something ethically right about the Mexico way. Allowing this building to decay is a tragedy.

I’m writing this in the spirit of being helpful and supportive. Please, Port Chilkoot Co., do something.

Joe Parnell

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