Mental Health Land Trust presses ahead with sale of downtown parcel

The Alaska Mental Health Trust is proceeding with plans to sell about 1 acre of land next to the Coast Guard station to a developer who intends to use the space for housing, commercial property and a plant to deliver hot-water heat across downtown Juneau.

On Friday, the Trust published a public notice announcing its decision to sell the property to Develop Juneau Now LLC, a corporation owned by Keith Comstock, the president and CEO of Juneau Hydropower Inc.

The notice appeared in the Empire and the Alaska Dispatch News.

Under the trust’s bylaws, the public can comment on the proposed sale for 20 days. Comments may be sent to mhtlo@alaska.gov before the end of the business day Jan. 16.

Juneau Hydropower Inc. plans to construct a hydroelectric dam to generate electricity from Sweetheart Lake southeast of Juneau. Half the dam’s power is earmarked for Kensington Gold Mine, and the other half is planned for a district heating system that would connect with existing oil-fired boilers across the city.

The system would deliver hot water to those boilers, meaning they wouldn’t have to burn oil to heat the homes and businesses that house them.

MRV Architects is designing the building that will rise between Egan Drive and U.S. Coast Guard Station Juneau.

According to documents provided by the Trust, the acre will sell for $1.3 million. In a previous interview with the Empire’s Samuel DeGrave, Comstock said construction will cost an additional $12 million to $15 million — and that figure does not include the cost of a seawater heat pump and other infrastructure that will be used to generate hot water.

If no public comments are received requesting reconsideration of the land sale, the sale will proceed under the direction of the Trust’s executive director.

More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of Nov. 3

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

“I voted” stickers featuring Tlingit artwork by James Johnson are displayed on a table at an early voting station at the Mendenhall Mall annex Oct. 30. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo)
In ballot issues, voting and democracy are having a moment

While other states consider implementing ranked choice voting, Alaska may be first state to repeal it.

A docked cruise ship, the Regent Seven Seas Explorer, is seen in Seward’s harbor on June 19 from the Race Point on Mount Marathon. The Port of Seward received a Clean Ports Program grant from the Environmental Protection Agency for a shore-based system to power cruise ships when they are docked in town. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Seward gets grant for shore-based system to power docked cruise ships

Town on track to be second in Alaska, after Juneau, to provide such facilities.

El Sombrero opens the doors of its downtown restaurant for the final time Saturday after 45 years at the location. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
El Sombrero says ‘hasta luego’ by closing restaurant after 45 years, with plans to open food truck

Downtown eatery owned by family for three generations who grew up alongside their customers.

Nesbett Courthouse in downtown Anchorage on Oct. 7, 2024. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
After controversial correspondence school decision, Anchorage judge faces voters in election

Adolf Zeman is one of 19 judges on Alaska’s ballots, but he’s the only one with a campaign against him.

The outcome of the struggle for control of both the House and Senate will have sweeping implications for the country’s future. Shown is the U.S. Capitol on Oct. 9, 2024. (Jane Norman/States Newsroom)
Will control of Congress shift? The results hinge on a handful of states and races

Narrow Republican Senate majority would allow Murkowski to wield outsized influence, expert says.

A sign on Egan Drive reminds motorists at midday Friday a lower seasonal speed limit is in effect in an attempt to reduce collisions at the Fred Meyer intersection. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Reduced 45 mph speed limit goes into effect on Egan Drive in vicinity of Fred Meyer intersection

Change in effect until Jan. 31 intended to improve safety; JPD reports normal number of traffic stops.

People voting ahead of Election Day line up inside the Mendenhall Mall annex on Friday, Oct. 25. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)
Juneau an afterthought for candidates ahead of Tuesday’s election, but early voting at a record pace

Toss-up U.S. House race, minimum wage increase, repeal of ranked choice voting on ballot.

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo
Tesla Cox (left) explains the damage done to her home and possessions by record flooding Aug. 6 to a delegation of municipal, tribal and federal officials on Aug. 11. The City and Borough of Juneau is considering a memorandum of agreement with the Central Council Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska for public safety issues such as emergency response, plus a similar agreement involving solid waste operations.
City leaders, Tlingit and Haida considering operational pacts for public safety, solid waste

Assembly members Monday will also discuss flood barriers, short-term rentals, homeless.

Most Read