Juneau to Decide on Fifth Downtown Cruise Dock

The Juneau Assembly is preparing for a significant upcoming vote that will determine whether the Huna Totem Corporation can proceed with the construction of a fifth cruise ship dock downtown. Scheduled for April 7, this decision revolves around the approval of a lease agreement for city-owned tidelands, making it the final major hurdle in a project that has been navigating procedural challenges for years.

A Long-Awaited Decision Approaches

The journey toward adding a fifth dock to Juneau’s vibrant downtown harbor has been lengthy and complex. Huna Totem Corporation, an Alaska Native village corporation, has consistently advocated for the project, viewing it as an essential step toward economic growth, increased employment, and tourism development. To bring this vision to fruition, the company requires city approval to lease submerged land in the channel—land ownership and its use is currently under the jurisdiction of city officials.

On Monday, an Assembly committee meeting approved the introduction of an ordinance to finalize the decision-making regarding these tidelands. The full vote in early April will effectively determine if Huna Totem's dock development can advance into construction. Several Assembly members, alongside business representatives and local tribal leaders, have already voiced their opinions on the proposal.

Economic and Cultural Support

Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska President Chalyee Éesh Richard Peterson urged Assembly members to approve the lease, highlighting the project's potential economic benefits for the community. Peterson identified the dock as an essential investment, one that provides necessary jobs both during and after construction while fostering a greater cultural understanding for visitors.

The dock’s proposed construction will coincide with Áak'w Landing—a waterfront development featuring underground parking, retail spaces, and a cultural and scientific education center. Craig Dahl, interim executive director of the Juneau Chamber of Commerce, emphasized numerous infrastructural enhancements, including improved pedestrian accessibility, reduced downtown congestion, and future connectivity to shore power to further diminish emissions.

Community Concerns Arise

Despite growing support from several stakeholders, community sentiment around the fifth dock project is notably mixed. Earlier this week, local residents voiced strong opinions at the Assembly Lands, Housing, and Economic Development meeting. Kathy Coghill, from North Douglas, asserted that the leasing proposal felt premature and that local considerations were undervalued in relation to commercial interests. While supportive of the cultural center concept within the project’s broader landscape, she expressed apprehensions about environmental impacts and other unresolved issues.

Karla Hart, a well-known local activist, presented her opposition from a stance of both environmental and community health perspectives. Hart previously filed an appeal in 2023 concerning the city planning commission’s conditional use permit approval for the dock, citing significant pollution and health risks associated with increased cruise traffic. Hart emphasized that the community hasn't been adequately informed or protected from health implications historically linked to tourism expansion.

Unresolved Issues Remain

Assembly members themselves have noted potential logistical concerns raised by the dock’s proposed site, particularly the compatibility with future plans involving the U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker set to call Juneau its home port. This notable concern, along with environmental and infrastructural considerations, will likely be prominent discussion points during the upcoming Assembly meeting in April, where the final public testimony opportunity is slated before the Assembly votes.

As this milestone vote approaches, the Juneau community finds itself at a critical juncture. Balancing the need for economic growth against pressing environmental and community concerns will remain the core debate as Assembly members deliberate the future trajectory of the downtown waterfront and the city's tourism landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the Juneau Assembly voting on exactly?

The Assembly is voting on an ordinance to approve leasing city-owned tidelands to the Huna Totem Corporation for constructing a fifth cruise ship dock downtown.

2. Why is the lease of tidelands necessary?

The lease is necessary because the dock's proposed location lies on submerged city-owned lands; without the lease, the corporation lacks permission to move ahead with construction.

3. What is Áak'w Landing?

Áak'w Landing is a planned waterfront development associated with the new dock, featuring underground parking, retail opportunities, pedestrian areas, and a culture and science education center.

4. Who supports the dock project and why?

Supporters include local business leaders and tribal representatives who see benefits in increased job creation, economic growth, cultural tourism opportunities, and infrastructural improvements such as less downtown traffic and better pedestrian access.

5. What concerns have been raised against this project?

Critics, including local residents and environmental activists, express concerns about environmental pollution, potential health risks from increased cruise ship traffic, and a perceived neglect of local residents' interests in decision-making processes.

6. What happens if the Assembly declines the lease agreement?

If the Assembly denies the lease, the dock project will not be permitted to proceed at its current proposed location, significantly delaying or potentially halting plans altogether.