The Unalaska Methodist Church has negotiated a new lease with the city to keep Tutiakoff Park open to the public. The Methodists own most of the park's land, and last month they raised the city's rent on the property from $6,000 per year to $20,500.
That hike will happen gradually over the five-year lease, according to the church's lay minister, Matt Reinders. He said the city agreed to pay $16,500 this year and then increase payments by a $1,000 each year until the rent peaks at $20,500.
Reinders said the new agreement is "more equitable" because it reflects the value of the land more accurately than lower rates of the past. The city's rent was calculated as seven percent of the property's assessed value.
If they hadn't agreed on a new lease, Reinders said the city would have been required to vacate the church's property on July 1. Instead, Tutiakoff Park will remain open to the community.
