Skagway HDC approves demolition of 1898 Nettles tin shop after NPS declines donation

The Skagway Historic District Commission on April 28 approved the second reading and issuance of a demolition permit for the James A. Nettles tin shop, a privately owned structure built in 1898, after the National Park Service told the commission it could not accept the building as a donation.

The decision came after the commission heard a letter from the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park explaining that, because of reduced staffing and limited capital-improvement funds, the park cannot assume responsibility for the structure. NPS liaison Williams read the letter into the record on behalf of Angela Wetz, superintendent of Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park: "Unfortunately, we are unable to accept the building due to diminished staffing levels and funding for capital improvement projects." Williams said the park could offer technical assistance and documentation work as staffing allows.

The commission’s action matters because the Nettles tin shop is located inside the Skagway And White Pass National Historic Landmark area and is identified by local historic surveys. The HDC discussed efforts to document the building before demolition, including proposed scanning and photography, because the structure is in poor condition and may not survive a move. Commissioner Steve Heitz, HDC chair, and others said the park’s offer to document the building is important record-keeping even if the NPS cannot take ownership.

On procedure and timing, permitting official Stacy Fairbanks read the relevant municipal code into the record and said there is a mandatory 12-month waiting period after HDC approval and any appeals before a historic structure may be demolished or moved outside the historic district (cited in the meeting as 19.12.013.c). That waiting period is part of the motion the commission approved.

The motion (restated for the record) approved the second reading and approval of demolition application number 2024064. Commissioner Lockett moved the motion; Commissioner Pomeroy seconded. In the roll call, Commissioners Heights, Pomeroy and Lockett voted yes; Commissioner Rosemary Liebert declared she would abstain because she is a part owner of the property and did not vote. The motion passed with three yes votes and one abstention.

Commissioners and the applicant, Carl Klupar, discussed outreach to the park and the possibility of stabilizing or moving the building, but the NPS letter and subsequent comments made clear that funding and staffing constraints make acquisition unlikely. Commissioners asked the NPS liaison to pursue documentation and scanning; Williams said the park would "attempt to get the proper devices down to scan the entire structure and have a detailed ... documentation of the building," as staffing and resources allow.

The commission recorded that the Nettles tin shop has limited remaining historic fabric and that moving the building would be expensive and possibly unsuccessful. The HDC also asked for a written statement from the National Park Service on its position so that the municipality’s record would show the NPS response to the donation offer.

The commission closed the item after the roll call. The 12-month waiting period and any appeals must elapse before demolition may proceed.