M E M O R A N D U M 02-60

TO: MAYOR AND HOMER CITY COUNCIL

FROM: COUNCILMAN STARK

DATE: 25 NOVEMBER 2002

SUBJ: UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA LAND IN TOWN SQUARE

The Council is familiar with the proposed Town Square through presentations and discussions over the last four years. Maps will be posted at the meeting and various people will speak to the issue.

The entire Town Square issue has many ramifications relating to the University, the University’s lands around the City, the University’s expansion plans, City Hall, the cost of development of the Town Square, the Library’s location, plans of other property owners, and whether Homer should even have a Town Square or just continue to develop like Topsy at the whim of whatever forces happen to impinge on us. The issue before us is very simple: whether we should ask the University to hold off selling its 4.7 acres in the Town Square.

I don’t think we have the time or information tonight to resolve all the other issues. But essential to being able to deal with them in the future is leaving the option open to acquiring the 4.7 acres. Our expression of interest is not binding on the City. The University is considering putting the 4.7 acres on the market, and will delay that if we ask them to. For the sake of our community’s future development for the next 40 years, it is essential that we take this tiny step.

RECOMMENDATION:

Authorize the Acting City Manager to convey our interest to the University of Alaska to acquire their 4.7 acres in the Town Square.

Fiscal Note: NA