The planning commission of Juneau has endorsed the development of $150 million on the waterfront.
Alongside a brand new cruise ship dock Huna Totem Corporation’s Aak’w Landing project will also include the science and culture centre, a retail area, and underground parking.
The last month, the Commission ratified Huna Totem Corporation’s application for a permit for the construction of the new dock for cruise ships.. In the past, however, they stayed short of approving the development in the uplands in the belief that they needed more details – and public input on the amenities that were proposed.
The commission met on Tuesday and received the public’s input and the majority of it was in favor of the project.
Kerry Crocker, who leads the local International Longshore and Warehouse Union She said the union could increase employment opportunities for the union’s members. They unmoor and moor ships in the docks of downtown.
The span style=”font-weight 400 ;”>”These are well-paying jobs,” he said. “They’re live-wage jobs. They pay an income, benefits, health insurance. Another job opportunity that comes associated with this project is substantial for us. .”
Norwegian Cruise Lines purchased the property in the year 2019 and then gave it over to Huna Totem in August 2022.
Huna Totem’s original plans included underground parking as well as retail spaces as well as restaurants and a park and one space that was not yet decided. The latest application proposes the use of that space as the 40,000 square-foot culture and science center, which was built with the help by Sealaska Heritage Institute and Goldbelt.
At a nearly four-hour public meeting Tuesday evening, 21 people participated during the public comment time. A majority of those voted favorable, saying that all-year-round facilities that promote local art as well as businesses, and Alaska Native culture would be an ideal feature for the waterfront.
The span style=”font-weight 400 ;”>”This project, as well as the alliance that is formed between NCL with Huna Totem, holds transformative potential that goes beyond preservation of culture,” said Carla Casulucan the Huna Totem shareholder. “It provides the foundation for sustainable economic development and empowerment. growth not only for the Juneau city Juneau and its inhabitants, but also for our indigenous community.” .”
The people who voted against the project expressed concern about the impact on the environment and tourists. The city might still keep its limit of five ships if Huna Totem is able to build Aak’w Landing, but cruise vessels themselves are growing bigger.
“The fundamental issue facing us today as citizens isn’t that tourism is either bad or not or bad, but that we have too much of it and we’ve not managed it in a sensible way,” downtown resident Steve Krall declared.
However, Fred Parady, Huna Totem’s chief operating officer, stated that the project could aid in managing the company.
“Shifting twelve5,000 residents from one end in town and the opposite side is significant for the flow of pedestrians,” Parady said.
The Commissioner Erik Pedersen said the project will help reduce the impact of tourism on downtown areas since buses would be able to skip downtown when traveling toward Mendenhall Glacier. Mendenhall Glacier — which has reached its capacity for tours at the halfway point of the season.
“It basically gives you the ability to load an entire vessel,” the man said.
Housing remains a problem for certain commissioners. The area’s zoning allows developers to build commercial and housing. However, Parady claimed that it was an alternative to housing but not an obligation.
The commission approved the application for a conditional use permit with a 7-1 vote. Only one vote was cast against the application by Chairman Michael LeVine, who said he wasn’t sure the proposal satisfied the requirements of the property’s zoning that doesn’t allow housing.
As of now, Juneau resident Karla Hart has filed an appeal to permission to use conditionally pertaining to docks. Her appeal is that Hart stated that public outreach and environmental assessment did not meet the requirements. In the end, Juneau Assembly will determine whether to either accept or deny the appeal at the next meeting on August. 21. The public’s comments regarding the appeal will not be considered.
If the project is approved however, the Assembly will still have to accept a lease for the city-owned tidelands prior to Huna Totem could build a dock.
