JLH RESORT PROPOSAL 1970

COUNCIL HEARS OF PLANS
FOR JESSE LEE FROM CORPORATION

Seward Phoenix Log
January 15, 1970

For the ninth time n 15 months the deteriorating Jesse Lee buildings were the focal point of City Council deliberations Monday night. Former Councilmember Oliver Amend introduced Chifford Schoen and Paul Finetti, representatives from the Development Corporation of North America, to the Council.

Mr. Finetti spoke enthusiastically of the potential of the Jesse Lee buildings for conversion to a modern condominium resort complex. He said that his corporation was seeking a certificate of convenience for a direct flight from Seattle to Seward, using Lockheed Electras.

After a lengthy question and answer session with the two men, Council considered a motion to place the Jesse Lee buildings and surrounding land to public bid by advertising in Seward, Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau papers.

Prospective bidders could bid on the buildings and five acres of land, the buildings and all of the land (approximately 20 acres), or only the land upon which there are no buildings. Watch bid was to be accompanied by a comprehensive development plan for Council consideration prior to awarding the land to the successful bidder. THe City, of course reserves the right to reject any and all bids.

Bidders will be notified that approximately 9,000 square feet of the area at the western boundary of the Home does not belong to the City. City Manager Filip says that it wll take from six to nine month to quiet title to the three lots involved.

If the prospectus for bid meets with Council approval, the bids will be opened about the first Thursday in March.

THIS WEEK IN CITY HALL
by Jim Filip
September 3, 1970

At a special meeting held for that purpose, the City Council unanimously approved terms of a contract between the City and the Development Corporation of North America. The contract deals with the rehabilitation and development of the former Jesse Lee Home in Seward and surrounding properties.

The contract, executed by Mr. Cilfford Schoon, President and Mr. Clinton Stewart, Secretary, specifies that work will commence within 15 days or no later than September 11, 1970. Work in this first phase will include general preparation and maintenance activities, including cleaning of existing structures, roof repair, removal of windows and replacement with thermopane units, landscape units, landscape work and preparation of final plans for the remodeling of the present structures. The contract sets a deadline of three months for the work to be concluded under phase one.

Phase Two calls for the start of remodeling of the interior of the existing structures and to begin sales of condominium units which will be completed within five weeks after each sale. Construction of 25% of the units will be completed on or before APril 1, 1971 as called for in the development contract.

Phase Three sets out construction work in the commercial and recreational areas and this phase shall be substantially complete on or before April 1 1972. This phase included the restaurant, cocktail lounge, rathskeller, cocktail facilities in two arcades. In addition there are plans for a private key club, dining room, lounges, sauna and steam room, and enclosed heated swimming pool, indoor squash and handball courts and four tennis courts convertible to skating rinks in winter.

Phases Four and Five call for additional structures in the form of apartments and a convention center and will be constructed as need warrants. The convention center will be built at the option of the Developers. The apartments will be started by June 1, 1972.