Borough transfers hall ownership to Fair

PALMER— The Alaska State Fair, Inc. became the owner of the Sheldon Building today, after the Matanuska-Susitna Borough relinquished ownership of the 30-year-old structure.

The Sheldon Building has been used by the Fair as an exhibition hall and was named after Bush pilot Don Sheldon.

"We're very happy to be able to transfer the Sheldon building over to the State Fair," said Borough Manager John Duffy. "It has served members of the public well over the past 30 years and should continue to do so in the fine hands of the Alaska State Fair."

At a signing ceremony today, Manager Duffy and Borough Mayor Curt Menard shook hands and shared laughs with State Fair General Manager Joe Lawton.

In 1977, the 8,000-square-foot building was moved from Anchorage and refurbished under a federal grant for $115,000 originally for the Transportation Museum, which was closely affiliated with the State Fair.

"They did all the work to get the grant but a stipulation required that it had to be owned by local government," said Ron Swanson, community development director.

For 30 years the Borough owned it, but the Fair leased it and managed it. Those grant restrictions have ended.

With the transfer of title, the State Fair assumes total ownership, as well as liability and maintenance.

For more information contact Public Affairs Manager Patty Sullivan at 745-9577.