For people suspecting Huna Totem Corp.’s proposed private cruise ship dock is a done deal, the agenda for the Juneau Assembly’s Committee of the Whole meeting Monday night might amend that thinking.
Twelve proposed amendments by five of the Assembly’s nine members were in the meeting packet as of Friday, with more possible before or during discussion at the meeting. Assembly members will be considering an ordinance that would authorize city officials to enter negotiations with Huna Totem for a tidelands lease of more than 50 submerged acres for the proposed Aak’w Landing project.
None of the amendments appear to put onerous conditions on Huna Totem, instead seeking limits such as maximum ship size, establishing various operational guidelines, and authorizing fines for violations of lease and permitting agreements.
Assembly members during the meeting are also scheduled to consider a resolution supporting the City and Borough of Juneau’s application to acquire about eight acres of tideland from the state in furtherance of the Aak’w Landing project.
No public comment period is scheduled during Monday’s meeting, which is standard practice for Committee of the Whole work sessions. Additional public testimony, in addition to that heard at numerous previous public meetings, will be taken when the proposed project is before the full Assembly.
The proposed Aak’w Landing would add a fifth cruise ship dock to downtown Juneau in the empty lot currently known as the “subport” near Egan Drive and Whittier Street, thus providing a spot for each of the five cruise ships allowed per day in the city under a voluntary agreement with the industry that took effect last year. The dock has been in the proposal stage since 2020, with the Assembly tentatively planning to vote on the lease ordinance at its April 7 meeting.
Supporters say the $150 million facility would divert some cruise activity away from the crowded main downtown dock, offer a range of cultural and science exhibition spaces in addition to retail facilities, and result in infrastructure upgrades in the area. Huna Totem also announced on Friday it has formed a partnership with AJT Mining Properties Inc. that “will remove an aging (AJT) dock, improve public access, add shore power to cut emissions and feature totem poles honoring Tlingit culture” by 2027.
Opponents have expressed concerns about the impacts on the flow of marine and floatplane traffic in Gastineau Channel, vehicle traffic on Egan Drive where the dock facility intersects with the main thoroughfare, and whether it might disrupt the U.S. Coast Guard’s plans to homeport an icebreaker at its facility adjacent to the Huna Totem site.
A survey of Juneau residents about tourism released Feb. 11 found 38% of respondents supportive or very supportive of the Huna Totem project, compared to 28% opposed to some degree, and 29% who said they need more information.
Mayor Beth Weldon is proposing four of the amendments introduced as of Friday. They include limiting the dock to vessels with 4,050 or fewer “lower berth capacity” passengers; keeping the Seawalk “unobstructed by commercial activities, except for special events or activities;” prohibiting rental car facilities at the site, including peer-to-peer operators such as Turo; and allowing Huna Totem to begin building on city tidelands while the state reaches a decision on its tidelands in the affected area.
Deputy Mayor Greg Smith is proposing two amendments: Huna Totem must provide the city written assurance from the Coast Guard “that the project will not impede icebreaker docking in Juneau” and that “Huna Totem can start preparatory work with the understanding any work undertaken is at their own risk.”
Four amendments are being offered by Assembly Member Alicia Hughes-Skandijs: a review and adjustment of the annual rental payment by the port director at least every five years; allowing a $5,000 per-incident, per-day for fine violations of lease or permitting conditions; “encouraging Huna Totem to work closely with local construction companies and utilize our union hiring halls and apprenticeship programs,” and encouraging Huna Totem to actively participate in the annual scheduling meetings to ensure compliance with the daily five-ship limit.
Assembly member Paul Kelly is offering two amendments. One adds intent language that “a portion of the lease amount be allocated to the Affordable Housing Fund” to support workforce housing; and having city officials address environmental concerns by working “to identify lease incentive options to increase clean fuel usage and shore power development.”
The final amendment by Assembly member Christine Woll states the city manager “shall include a right of first refusal clause in any lease of the tidelands, for purchase of the docks.”
• Contact Mark Sabbatini at mark.sabbatini@juneauempire.com or (907) 957-2306.
