This image shows one possibility for a renovated Centennial Hall. It is titled Scheme B. (Courtesy Photo | MRV Architects)

This image shows one possibility for a renovated Centennial Hall. It is titled Scheme B. (Courtesy Photo | MRV Architects)

A renovated Centennial Hall could look like one of these options

Architects share four possibilities for the building’s future

A final decision is still a way off, but MRV Architects drew up four design options for Centennial Hall renovations.

The Juneau architecture firm was contracted for about $50,000 by the City and Borough of Juneau to come up with possible designs for an improved version of the convention center and event venue.

Paul Voelckers, MRV Architects president and architect, shared design schemes ahead of a Thursday night public meeting detailing the same information.

Voelckers said he hopes to hear back by mid next week from a steering committee, the public and the city to determine which vision for a renovated Centennial Hall the firm should spend the next few weeks fleshing out.

“By June 20, we’re going to be done with further graphic development for whatever direction seems most promising,” he said. “It’s not going to be as simple as picking Scheme A, B, C or D. There’s may be some hybridization between these options.”

All options share one major similarity: A connection to the proposed New Juneau Arts & Culture Center project. Centennial Hall and the nearby JACC are both managed by Juneau Arts & Humanities Council, and both buildings are utilized during major events such as Public Market or Alaska Folk Festival.

Voelckers said none of the options would result in alterations to the proposed New JACC plan.

[Centennial Hall’s needs move into focus]

“But there’s a lot of flexibility for how it connects and interacts with Centennial Hall,” Voelckers said. “All these schemes show some type of very active connection, so they can function in tandem. They already function in tandem, they just don’t do it very well.”

All the options also include street improvements and more orderly parking along West Third Avenue and at least some new space added to Centennial Hall.

This image shows one possibility for a renovated Centennial Hall. It is titled Scheme A. (Courtesy Photo | MRV Architects)

This image shows one possibility for a renovated Centennial Hall. It is titled Scheme A. (Courtesy Photo | MRV Architects)

Scheme A includes shared entry and shared parking between two separate buildings, Voelckers said. Scheme B eliminates that space and gives the buildings in favor of an “enhanced entry,” and the finished product would result in a JACC and Centennial Hall that look like a single complex.

This image shows one possibility for a renovated Centennial Hall. It is titled Scheme C. (Courtesy Photo | MRV Architects)

This image shows one possibility for a renovated Centennial Hall. It is titled Scheme C. (Courtesy Photo | MRV Architects)

“Scheme C, it preserves a lot of the flow of Centennial, where it still has an independent north entry and an independent south entry and then just a nice lateral link to the JACC, but it’s probably the least elaborated of the links between them,” Voelckers said.

This image shows one possibility for a renovated Centennial Hall. It is titled Scheme B. (Courtesy Photo | MRV Architects)

This image shows one possibility for a renovated Centennial Hall. It is titled Scheme B. (Courtesy Photo | MRV Architects)

Those three options would add about 9,000 square feet of space to Centennial Hall —about a 25-percent increase —and cost about $21 million, according to summary of the design option study.

Scheme D is the most different of the options.

This image shows one possibility for a renovated Centennial Hall. It is titled Scheme D. (Courtesy Photo | MRV Architects)

This image shows one possibility for a renovated Centennial Hall. It is titled Scheme D. (Courtesy Photo | MRV Architects)

It adds about 800 square feet to Centennial Hall, its link to the JACC would be a covered walkway and its estimated cost is $17.25 million.

Voelckers said the reason there is only a $4.75 million difference between schemes is because all the options include rebuilding mechanical and electrical systems.

“Then it just becomes an increment addition, which really isn’t a big deal,” he said.

What the people said

MRV Architects also compiled the results of a questionnaire that drew hundreds of responses.

[Architects ask public what they want out of a new Centennial Hall]

Voelckers said it included responses from a public meeting held earlier this month as well as responses submitted electronically.

He acknowledged respondents were self-selected and consisted almost entirely of Juneau residents, but said the information was still interesting and something architects considered.

In general people — 169 positive comments in total — identified Centennial Hall’s location as its biggest strength. The next closest quality was the building’s size with 44 commenting on it as a positive attribute.

Centennial Hall’s largest weakness was identified as its sound and audio visual systems — 70 percent of people ranked it as one of the top three shortcomings that most needs to be addressed.

“That’s because we’ve all borne the slings and arrows of trying to give a presentation there,” Voelckers said. “The systems are just outdated.”


• Contact arts and culture reporter Ben Hohenstatt at (907)523-2243 or bhohenstatt@juneauempire.com. Follow him on Twitter at @BenHohenstatt.


More in News

(Juneau Empire File)
Aurora forecast for the week of Nov. 27

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire File
Even the Grinch got into the holiday spirit at last year’s Gallery Walk on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022.
An abundance of traditional and new ways to capitalize on this year’s Gallery Walk

More than 50 events scheduled Friday afternoon and evening from downtown to Douglas.

This view is from Wrangell on Sept. 11, 2022. (Photo by Joaqlin Estus/ICT)
Conservation group supports formation of new Alaska Native corporations

The conservation group the Wilderness Society has changed its position and now… Continue reading

From her hospital bed on Friday, Nov. 24, Christina Florschutz demonstrates how she pulled pajama bottoms that she found in the landslide debris over her legs, arms and head to keep warm. Her house was destroyed in the landslide, and after spending the night in the wreckage, she was rescued the morning of Tuesday, Nov. 21. (Caroleine James / Wrangell Sentinel)
Elementary school aide who survived Wrangell landslide calls circumstances a miracle

Christina Florschutz trapped overnight by landslide that killed at least 4 people, with 2 missing.

Lylah Habeger (left) and Jaila Ramirez lead the Konfeta Corps during a rehearsal of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” at Juneau Dance Theatre. The ballet will be performed in the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.At.Kalé auditorium Friday through Sunday. (Photo courtesy of Juneau Dance Theatre)
‘Nutcracker’ tradition, with a twirl of new choreography

This year’s performances feature a cast of 93, ages 5 to 78

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Police calls for Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Police calls for Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Rain at the National Weather Service Juneau station on Nov. 11 doesn’t exist as snow until hits the upper portion of nearby Thunder Mountain. So far this November has been both warmer and wetter than normal. (Photo by National Weather Service Juneau)
El Niño playing outsize role in Juneau’s warmer temperatures, according to National Weather Service

Early peek at numbers shows Juneau is 4.9 degrees warmer than average this November.

An emergency rescue vehicle parks in front of the Riverview Senior Living center at midday Monday after resident Nathan Bishop, 58, was discovered in the attic about 40 hours after he was reported missing. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Nathan Bishop found alive in attic of Riverview Senior Living complex after 40-hour search

Family members say they remain supportive of facility’s locally available assisted living services.

Most Read