The Borough and City of Juneau held an open house Wednesday in order to collect public opinion about the future of Telephone Hill.
Nearly 50 participants answered survey questions like “What kinds of uses would you would like to be able to see at Telephone Hill?”
For those residents the uncertainty surrounding the future of the downtown area is growing old.
“span” style=”font-weight 400 ;”>”It’s been a real strain mentally and emotionally.” told Callie Conerton.
Telephone Hill is home to an apartment complex that is small and seven homes, which include one of the oldest in the state. Up until this spring it was owned by the state area. In March, the ownership changed into the hands of the city. Since since then they have been working towards developing the neighborhood, possibly through the construction of new homes.
This redevelopment implies that those who currently reside there must be forced relocate.. Many are concerned about finding a new home in the crowded housing market of Juneau.
Conerton lived in Telephone Hill and rents there today. She says she’s happy that the city is taking part and involving the residents of the area in this processAnd at this point the city hasn’t offered residents a date to move out or an eviction notification. However, she’s worried about the quality of her father’s living if he’s needing to relocate.
The span style=”font-weight 400 ;”>”My family is in that area and my father is suffering from Parkinson’s disease. He is suffering from an TBI,” Conerton said. “Housing is a challenge to locate, particularly with accessibility for wheelchairs .”
The city’s officials stated that the purpose of the event was to gain an understanding of what people think about Telephone Hill, and what could be done to improve Telephone Hill. Presenters from the Portland-based the urban development company First Forty Feet asked the participants to discuss the opportunities and obstacles to develop the area.
In the survey, the majority participants focused on issues such as “preserving the neighborhood’s historic character,” “preserving the homes” and “preserving the greenery and trees.” A second frequent topic was the addition of affordable housing.
Mark Whitman doesn’t live on Telephone Hill himself, but Whitman says he appreciates the things that the area offers — green spaces, historical buildings, and not many tourists wandering through. Whitman says he doesn’t wish for the area to be developed in any way other than making it better for those who reside there, and certainly not completely bulldozed and redeveloped.
The span style=”font-weight 400 ;”>”We’ve witnessed neighborhoods after neighborhoods taken over by tourists, concrete, glass and steel,” he told the event. “This is a chance to demonstrate that we can make a difference to help the locals.” .”
The Borough and City of Juneau is collaborating together with MRV Architects and Oregon-based design agency First Forty Feet. Jason Graff with First Forty Feet stated that there are more opportunities for public input in the coming months, and there is no plan to redevelop the area even if it is in the discussion. However, he suggested that designs for this neighborhood must be completed by the end of the end of October or November.
Conerton said that in the meantime Conerton stated that her neighbours and her family members are trying to figure out how to do.
“One family seemed to be peaceful,” she said. “Another person was like”I’m anxious about everything’.” .'”
