Sealaska Heritage Institute’s Walter Soboleff Building was recently awarded a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold rating by the United States Green Building Council. (Courtesy Photo | Sealaska Heritage Institute)

Sealaska Heritage Institute’s Walter Soboleff Building was recently awarded a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold rating by the United States Green Building Council. (Courtesy Photo | Sealaska Heritage Institute)

Soboleff building gets gold for being green, music program receives a grant, CCS is on the move

News briefs for the week of Aug. 1, 2019.

Tuition-free music program receives a national grant

Juneau Alaska Music Matters, a tuition-free music program, is among the recipients of a PlayUSA grant, according to a press release from Carnegie.

Meghan Johnson, JAMM’s interim executive director, said when reached by phone JAMM will receive $10,000.

That money will primarily be used to help make music equitable for secondary school students, Johnson said.

“JAMM has been a K-5 program, but our first group of students is entering ninth grade, and we’re looking at how we can continue to support those students,” Johnson said. “The funding will be used to help programs that support all secondary students.”

JAMM was one of 17 total organizations and one of five new partners selected to receive PlayUSA grant support this year, according to Cargegie Hall’s press release.

Walter Soboleff Building’s gets recognition for sustainable design

Sealaska Heritage Institute’s Walter Soboleff Building was awarded a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold rating by the United States Green Building Council.

LEED is the most widely used system for rating projects’ environmental impact, and LEED Gold is the second highest level of performance that can be achieved under the program.

SHI is a nonprofit that protects and promotes Alaska Native arts and culture.

SHI set LEED Gold as a requirement for the design of its building, which opened in 2015, to comport with core cultural values that honor past, present and future generations, said SHI President Rosita Worl in a press release.

“Although we realized that meeting the gold standard would mean higher initial construction costs, we had no other alternative but to ensure that we complied with our core cultural values, such as Haa Shuká, which translates as honoring our ancestors and future generations,” Worl said in a release. “Buildings have an enormous impact on the well being of people and the planet, and we’re proud to say we’ve achieved one of the greenest LEED levels in the world.”

The design team was led by MRV Architects and included PDC Engineers for mechanical and civil design, Haight and Associates (with PDC) for electrical design, BBFM Engineers, Inc., for structural design and Alaska Energy Engineering, LLC, for energy modeling. The structure was built by Dawson Construction, with SHI’s Chief Operating Officer Lee Kadinger representing SHI throughout design and construction phases.

“This project was an exceptional opportunity to showcase Native cultural materials and form, as well as best design practices,” said MRV President Paul Voelckers in a release. “The team worked together to create a building that honors its setting and history.”

Catholic Community Service, Inc. changes locations

Catholic Community Service has moved.

Its headquarters, finance, administration and Hospice and Home Care of Juneau are now at 1803 Glacier Highway. That neighbors the Bridge Adult Day Center.

The Senior and Caregiver Resource Center is still located in the St. Ann’s building at 419 Fifth St.

For more information, visit ccsjuneau.org or call the main office at 463-6100.

In this November 2013 photo, kindergartners give looks of anticipation before their first Kindergarten Paper Violin Concert at Glacier Valley Elementery School Wednesday. The concert showcased the efforts of Juneau, Alaska Music Matters, which recently was awarded a $10,000 grant. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

In this November 2013 photo, kindergartners give looks of anticipation before their first Kindergarten Paper Violin Concert at Glacier Valley Elementery School Wednesday. The concert showcased the efforts of Juneau, Alaska Music Matters, which recently was awarded a $10,000 grant. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

More in News

Jasmine Chavez, a crew member aboard the Quantum of the Seas cruise ship, waves to her family during a cell phone conversation after disembarking from the ship at Marine Park on May 10. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Ships in port for the week of Sept. 7

Here’s what to expect this week.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Friday, Sept. 6, 2024

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024

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

(Michael Penn / Juneau Emire file photo)
Police calls for Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024

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

Workers at the Alaska Division of Elections’ State Review Board consider ballots on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024, at the division’s headquarters in Juneau. At background is the Alaska State Capitol. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
After Alaska’s primary election, here’s how the state’s legislative races are shaping up

Senate’s bipartisan coalition appears likely to continue, but control of the state House is a tossup.

Nutaaq Doreen Simmonds (left) and Xáalnook Erin Tripp star in the play “Cold Case,” focusing on issues involving Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons, which is now performing at Perseverance Theatre. (Akiko Nishijima Rotch / Perseverance Theatre)
Perseverance’s ‘Cold Case’ tops NYT’s list of ‘15 Shows to See on Stages Around the U.S. This Fall’

Award-winning play about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons showing in Juneau until Sept. 22.

Police and other emergency officials treat Steven Kissack after he was fatally shot on Front Street on Monday, July 15, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
UPDATE: Bodycam footage of Steven Kissack shooting, results of state investigation scheduled for release Tuesday

Videos, originally scheduled for Friday release, delayed until JPD gets state report, police chief says.

Workers construct a greenhouse behind the Edward K. Thomas building during the summer of 2021. The greenhouse is part of a food sovereignty project by the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, which this week received a $15 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection agency to establish or expand composting operations in five Southast Alaska communities including Juneau. (Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska photo)
Tlingit and Haida gets $15M EPA grant for composting operations in five Southeast Alaska communities

Funds will establish or expand programs in Juneau, Wrangell, Hoonah, Petersburg and Yakutat.

Most Read