Developer wants to build housing on former Wrangell hospital property

WRANGELL — A Georgia-based developer who has taken a liking to Wrangell has offered the borough $200,000 for the former hospital property, with plans to tear down the building and construct as many as 48 new housing units.

Wayne Johnson’s offer on the 2-acre property is contingent on striking a deal to purchase six smaller borough-owned lots behind the hospital building, adding an additional 1.3 acres to the development site.

The purchase price for the hospital property, which has been vacant since SEARHC moved into its new Wrangell Medical Center three years ago, is below its appraised value,...