An online survey seeking residents’ opinions about the future development of Telephone Hill is being conducted until Jan. 9, with the City and Borough of Juneau offering a raffle for a gift card as extra incentive.
Proposals for redeveloping the downtown area have to date attracted immense criticism from residents who say four newly proposed preliminary design concepts intrude on historic structures, longtime residents, green space and the character of the neighborhood. CBJ officials and an Oregon-based design agency contracted to work on a master plan say extensive efforts to collect public input are being made over a period of many months, including the online survey.
“The redevelopment plan will include a vision for Telephone Hill to become an exceptional, vibrant new neighborhood, where gathering, ecology, new access and historical aspects amplify district character and provide a variety of experiences for people to enjoy,” a CBJ announcement published Tuesday explaining the survey states.
The announcement notes two public meetings focusing on the redevelopment were held July 26 and Oct. 11, and “previous input from the first public engagement was presented along with the vision and design alternatives included in this survey.”
Many residents live in the neighborhood on land the state purchased in 1984 with intentions of putting a new Capitol building there that were never realized. Ownership of the land was transferred this spring to the city, leading to the subsequent redevelopment proposals.
The “five-minute” survey is at bit.ly/TelephoneHillSurvey. Participants will be entered into a raffle to win a $200 Fred Meyer gift card unless they opt out (providing names is also optional).
More information about the Telephone Hill redevelopment project is at https://juneau.org/engineering-public-works/telephone-hill.
• Contact Mark Sabbatini at mark.sabbatini@juneauempire.com or (907) 957-2306.
