Empire Archives is a series printed every Saturday featuring a short compilation of headline stories in the Juneau Empire from archived editions in 1984, 1994 and 2004.
This week in 1984, as most major builders, contractors and material suppliers know, the level of home construction in Juneau has declined this year compared to last. In fact, it has declined significantly. The state’s Department of Commerce and Economic Development this week confirmed that fact: Through September building permits for new residential construction in Juneau was off 38% from last year and, if not for a fall surge, the rate of construction would have been off even more significantly. For the first half of the year construction had been off by nearly 50%. Construction has mirrored statewide performance as housing starts in both Anchorage and Fairbanks are also down from 1983.
Today construction of new homes can’t occur quickly enough in Juneau due to an acute shortage compared to need — and there aren’t enough builders to keep up with demand due to a workforce shortage that is also an ongoing issue.
Original Story: “Home construction down in Capital City,” by Chuck Kleeschulte. 11/9/1984.
This week in 1994, the search continued today for a missing construction worker who plunged into Skagway Harbor after an 800-foot section of the dock owned by White Pass and Yukon Route railroad collapsed Thursday night. The collapse sent a wave across the harbor that pulled the floating Skagway ferry dock off its morning and damaged other parts of the small board harbor. The damage will interrupt ferry service for at least two weeks. The missing man is Paul Wallin of Homer. He is employed by Sandstrom and Sons Construction of Anchorage. The company has a $4 million contract with White Pass to refurbish the 50-year-old, 1,200-foot-long dock. The cause of the collapse just after 7 p.m. has not been determined. Early speculation centered on a landslide, but little ground had given way near the dock.
Subsequent investigation revealed the dock collapsed due to a huge underwater landslide. The resulting 25-foot wave did millions of dollars of damage, with a new concrete Railroad Dock was built to replace the one that collapsed. Wallin’s body was never found.
Original Story: “Skagway dock collapses; 1 missing,” by Mark Cardinal and Jeff Brady. 11/4/1994.
This week in 2004, Juneau Mayor Bruce Botelho plans to present Alaska with a new capitol on Telephone Hill for its 50th birthday in 2009. It won’t be free, though. The mayor announced the projected cost at $100 million, and the state would pay to lease the building. In Anchorage today, Botelho and his Capitol Planning Commission will announce a design competition for the new capitol. “We need to have a symbol that celebrates democracy and is inviting to our citizens,” Botelho said. “Having a new capitol will lend a degree of permanence in securing Juneau as the capital.” Botelho said he expects opposition to his plan. Rep. Bill Stoltze, R-Chugiak, and Rep. Carl Gatto, R-Palmer, said in a written statement in October that they won’t support any plan proposed by Botelho to build a new capitol. Gatto has said there are higher funding priorities than building a new legislative hall in Juneau. Botelho stresses that the new capitol is for all Alaskans and that people can get involved in the process throughout the three stages of the design contest.
Today the old Capitol remains in place and the designated property on Telephone Hill has been turned over to the City and Borough of Juneau, whose leaders are in the process of a residential and business redevelopment plan for the area.
Original Story: “Statewide design contest announced,” by I-Chun Che. 11/5/2004.
• Contact Mark Sabbatini at mark.sabbatini@juneauempire.com or (907) 957-2306.
