Juneau Assembly has asked federal and state legislators to help fund a variety of local projects.
Last Thursday, members of the Assembly discussed a draft list identifying legislative priorities. The list will be sent to the full assembly Monday, and then to state and federal representatives.
This year, the top-ranked proposal is to build housing in Pederson Hills. Tlingit Haida Regional housing Authority and a private developer applied for housing construction in the area.
A number of projects were carried over from last years, including an e-path in Lemon Creekspan styling=”font weight: 400 ;”>, and a new City Hall. There is also a second crossing connecting Juneau and Douglas Island. Some of the projects on the list have received federal funding already, including the second crossing as well as a new municipal composting plant.
Bartlett Regional Hospital recently applied for $4 million in state funding to fund its new Aurora Behavioral Health Center.
Michelle Hale, an assembly member, stated that it makes sense to ask for state funding to help this facility. Michelle Hale also said that she supports Southeast Alaska as well as Juneau.
Mayor Beth Weldon, along with some assembly members, questioned why the hospital board hadn’t made its request in October when city officials sought input. Rorie Watt, the city manager, said that it is still worthwhile to support.
He said that they understood that they should have been involved earlier. “I believe that this doesn’t diminish their need .”
The committee moved the project up to the top of the list. This brings the total to 23. The Juneau School District’s security and HVAC upgrades are two other priorities for this year.
