A bus passes by City Hall downtown in late June. The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly passed an ordinance Monday night to put a $27 million bond proposition for a new City Hall on the fall municipal election ballot. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

A bus passes by City Hall downtown in late June. The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly passed an ordinance Monday night to put a $27 million bond proposition for a new City Hall on the fall municipal election ballot. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Proposal to fund a new City Hall to hit the ballot — again

Assembly OKs $27 million bond question for voters this fall.

For the second year in a row, Juneau voters will be asked on the fall municipal election ballot whether to approve $27 million in bond debt to fund a project for a new City Hall — a question many residents argue has already been answered.

“The voters already said no — but here we are,” said David Ignell, a resident who testified in opposition to the proposition.

On Monday night the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly unanimously voted to approve the ballot proposition, which will be the only proposition on this year’s ballot. The question closely mirrors a proposal during last election to approve $35 million in bond debt for the City Hall project, which Juneau voters narrowly shot down.

The $27 million bond will only cover a portion of the project, City Manager Rorie Watt explained at the meeting. In total, the project — to be located downtown on 450 Whittier Street, across the street from the Alaska State Museum — is estimated to cost about $43.3 million.

This is an artist depiction of the proposed City Hall building voted down by Juneau residents during last fall’s municipal election. The project is now estimated to cost $43.3 million with an underground parking garage. (Courtesy Image / North Wind Architects)

This is an artist depiction of the proposed City Hall building voted down by Juneau residents during last fall’s municipal election. The project is now estimated to cost $43.3 million with an underground parking garage. (Courtesy Image / North Wind Architects)

The city has $16.3 million in general funds for the project already put aside, which would be in addition to the $27 million bond if approved by voters. The $16.3 million is made up of a $10 million allocation which is included in the city budget passed in June and $6.3 million appropriated by the Assembly in June of 2022.

City administration has long argued the new facility would have “a number of positive attributes” for both the city and residents, outlining benefits such as putting an end to the $800,000 the city pays in rent for the current City Hall, consolidating all municipal business in one location and freeing the city from the future high cost of maintenance estimated for the current City Hall.

However, some public commenters at the Monday night meeting disagreed the benefits were worth the high cost of the project.

Sally Wilson, a Juneau resident, said during public testimony she is concerned there are many more costs associated with the project that are not being made apparent to voters and she argued the city needs to present those costs more clearly.

“Let’s include all of the initial costs, and costs such as canceling the rental agreements that exist in some of the buildings that we’ve been renting for at least three years. What about the cost of disposing of City Hall? What are we gonna do with it? How much will it cost to renovate it to get it into a sellable position?” she said.

“I’m not advocating for City Hall, I’m not advocating against City Hall,” she said. “But I do want to stress the importance of trying to present all of the financial costs and benefits related to this project.”

Greg Adler, another resident, spoke in opposition to the project, and most of his testimony centered around how he felt the project has been “politicized” by city administrators. Alder further accused the city manager of unethical behavior to promote the project, arguing his “political influence has corrupted the process.”

Alder also criticized the Assembly’s previous motion in June to allow the city to spend $50,000 to “advocate for and provide public information regarding the need for a new City Hall.”

[City funds $50K advocacy initiative for new City Hall]

Watt said after the meeting that he had no comment on Adler’s remarks.

• Contact reporter Clarise Larson at clarise.larson@juneauempire.com or (651)-528-1807.

More in News

The Norwegian Bliss arrives in Juneau on Monday, April 14, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Ships in port for the week of May 12

This information comes from the Cruise Line Agencies of Alaska’s 2024 schedule.… Continue reading

Lupita Alvarez, a teacher at Montessori Borealis Children’s House, testifies at a Juneau Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Educators, the ‘backbone of our schools,’ are breaking

Teachers say district contract counteroffer with less pay sends the message they should leave.

Eaglecrest Ski Area Board President Mike Satre (left) confers with Juneau Assembly member Christine Woll during an Assembly Finance Committee meeting Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at City Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Assembly’s budget deep dive: Debate spans from $3M to support Eaglecrest to $2,000 for veterans’ events

City leaders spend marathon evening seeking to resolve notable items during year when funds are short.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Tuesday, May 13, 2025

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Monday, May 12, 2025

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

A sign for a store that accepts food stamps and exchange benefits transfer cards is seen in this 2019 photo. (Scott Heins/Getty Images)
Alaska gives food stamp recipients’ personal information to federal officials

Data sharing part of nationwide request by Trump administration; appears to be targeting migrants.

Rep. Jeremy Bynum, R-Ketchikan, speaks to Rep. Calvin Schrage, I-Anchorage, during a vote on amendments to the state’s capital budget on Monday, May 12, 2025. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Amid budget struggle, Alaska has little money for new construction or renovation

State’s capital budget about to pass Legislature with no projects for individual legislators’ districts.

Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, at center, sits among senators during a joint session of the Alaska Legislature on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Most Alaskans nominated for state boards and commissions get Legislature’s approval this year

One nominee was rejected on a 0-60 vote, which may be a first for the Alaska Legislature.

A person uses a garden hose in an effort to save a neighboring home from catching fire during the Eaton Fire on Jan. 8, 2025 in Altadena, California. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Dozens of members of Congress from both parties plead with Trump to unfreeze FEMA grants

Sen. Murkowski part of group drafting letter urging FEMA to begin spending already OK’d by Congress.

Most Read