Phil Algar looks out the window at the Mendenhall Valley Glacier Visitor Center, Saturday, March 2, 2019. Algar, who was visiting from White Horse was surprised by the crowd at the center Saturday for an open house. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)

Phil Algar looks out the window at the Mendenhall Valley Glacier Visitor Center, Saturday, March 2, 2019. Algar, who was visiting from White Horse was surprised by the crowd at the center Saturday for an open house. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)

Mendenhall Glacier master plan calls for major change

Nothing is set in stone, but proposed plan could mean boats, a restaurant and more

The sights that will greet visitors to the Mendenhall Glacier will be drastically different in 50 years and could change substantially over the next decade.

During an open house for a proposed master plan for Mendenhall Valley Glacier Recreation Area and Visitor Center held Saturday at the visitor center, a tentative vision was outlined that would bring expanded parking, boats and docks, a welcome center equipped for concessions, visitor center expansion, a mobile center at the glacier and a number of trail changes and improvements.

“When this visitor center was built, there were 23,000 visitors per year, and now there’s over 700,000,” said James King, Alaska Region Director of Recreation, Land and Minerals for U.S. Forest Service. “It’s time to adjust to serve the public.”

[Mendenhall moving toward overhaul]

“We know this is Juneau’s playground, and longtime Juneauites love it,” he added. “Everyone who visits it also loves it and has a right to enjoy it.”

The master plan was developed in part through six public meetings held between 2016 and 2018. It has a 50 year scope with an emphasis on the next 10 years.

Dru Fenster, Alaska Region public affairs specialist for U.S. Forest Service, said there will be multiple chances for public in put during the environmental assessment of the proposed plan and comment cards were being accepted Saturday.

“It’s really important to hear what their concerns are,” Fenster said.

It’s also important, she said to mention the project as currently proposed will be different from what ultimately happens.

“Right now, it’s important to understand nothing is in stone,” Fenster said.

King said the project is currently a “high-level vision” and many aspects of it are not yet fully fleshed out.

“We haven’t drilled down to figure out what all the details will be,” King said.

An environmental assessment, which will help determine things such as what type of boats would be best to transport visitors from five proposed docks to the receding face of the glacier and other points of interest, is unlikely to be completed before late this year.

“Whether those motors would be electric or diesel, we haven’t gotten to that level,” King said.

Once the assessment is completed, King said the proposed project with a price tag he estimated at about $80 million would enter designing stages, and the hope would be to have design work done by 2022.

He said construction would ideally start shortly thereafter.

How long the project would take is dependent on funding, King said, and it will likely have to occur in phases. He said funding would come from a mix of public and private sources and is being pursued so the project will be able to begin once planning is completed.

[Man safe after falling through ice at Mendenhall Lake]

“Highest priority is restrooms and parking,” King said. “That’s where our most congestion and safety issues are.”

As proposed, that part of the plan would double parking for non-commercial vehicles and and a reconfigured and enlarged drop-off and pick-up area for commercial vehicles. The non-commercial parking will be located along Glacier Spur Road, according to the plan.

Next phases would include docks and boats, a welcome center, a Steep Creep Trail extension and other proposed efforts.

Turnout to the open house was strong, organizers said, and about 95 people had come into the visitor center within the event’s first 75 minutes.

A short seven-minute film about the project was shown and Forest Service employees were present to answer questions, provide more information and take comment cards.

Juneau resident Micah Sommers was among those who filled out a comment card.

Sommers said he recommended making the sledding hill bigger.

“It’s beloved by all,” he said.

Additionally, Sommers advised building fewer than five docks because the proposed total seems excessive and making a proposed bridge wide enough for two lanes of skate skiing.

Overall, Sommers said the plan was thorough, which other attendees noted.

“It’s very well developed,” said Juneau resident Justine Muench. “They thought through all the issues I can see.”

However, Muench said rearranging things and introducing new activities doesn’t in her opinion address a fundamental concern.

“I still worry about the large number of people and impact on the environment,” she said. “I think we should be limiting people in addition to redesigning for access issues.”


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


Eric Ouderkirk, left, Alaska Region regional landscape architect for the U.S. Forest Service, talks with Juneau resident Justine Muench, far right, in the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, Saturday, March 2, 2019. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)

Eric Ouderkirk, left, Alaska Region regional landscape architect for the U.S. Forest Service, talks with Juneau resident Justine Muench, far right, in the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, Saturday, March 2, 2019. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)

More in News

Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File
The Aurora Borealis glows over the Mendenhall Glacier in 2014.
Aurora Forecast

Forecasts from the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute for the week of March. 19

Gov. Mike Dunleavy discusses his proposed budget for the 2024 fiscal year during a press conference at the Alaska State Capitol in December 2022. A lower-than-expected revenue forecast is raising questions about what the state's spending plan will ultimately look like. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)
Lower revenue forecast increases budget woes for state lawmakers

Coming up with a spending plan for next year and beyond will be a complex series of negotiations.

Office Max at the Nugget Mall in the Mendenhall Valley advertised Permanent Fund dividend sales in July 2020. Alaskans have until the end of the month to apply for the PFD. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
PFD application deadline is next week

Amount in flux as state revenue forecasts lower than expected.

This is a photo of the current site plan of the proposed Capital Civic Center. On Monday night the Assembly authorized $5 million to go toward the project that is expected to cost $75 million. (City and Borough of Juneau)
City OKs $5M toward proposed Capital Civic Center

The money is intended to show the city’s commitment to the project as it seeks federal funding

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Police calls for Tuesday, March 21, 2023

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

This September 2015, photo provided by NOAA Fisheries shows an aerial view of adult female Southern Resident killer whale (J16) swimming with her calf (J50). New research suggests that inbreeding may be a key reason that the Pacific Northwest’s endangered population of killer whales has failed to recover despite decades of conservation efforts. The so-called “southern resident” population of orcas stands at 73 whales. That’s just two more than in 1971, after scores of the whales were captured for display in marine theme parks around the world. (NOAA Fisheries / Vancouver Aquarium)
The big problem for endangered orcas? Inbreeding

Southern resident killer whales haven’t regularly interbred with other populations in 30 generations.

Juneau Brass Quintet co-founding member Bill Paulick along with Stephen Young performs “Shepherd’s Hey” to a packed house at the Alaska State Museum on Saturday as part of the quintet’s season-ending performance. Friends of the Alaska State Library, Archives and Museum sponsored the event with proceeds going to the musicians and FoSLAM. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Top brass turns out for event at State Museum

Free performance puts a capt on a busy season.

Alaska’s state legislators are slated to get the equivalent of 6,720 additional $5 bills in their salary next year via a $33,600 raise to a total of $84,000 due to a veto Monday by Gov. Mike Dunleavy of bill rejecting raises for legislative and executive branch employees. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File)
Veto negates rejection of pay hikes for governor, legislators

Dunleavy clears way for 67% hike in legislative pay, 20% in his to take effect in coming months

Most Read