My Turn: Keep working for a Downtown parking solution

  • By ROBERT W. HAIGHT
  • Monday, October 26, 2015 1:00am
  • Opinion

Something dispiriting happened to me in Juneau on Friday, Oct. 16. I had a half-hour to kill in the afternoon and, since the swarms of tourists, cruise ship crews and seasonal workers had recently departed, I felt it safe to venture forth to see what was new downtown. Aware the new parking garage on Main Street only allowed permitted vehicles from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, I drove instead to the large parking area near Centennial Hall in the Willoughby District and easily found a spot.

I returned less than 30 minutes later to find a $25 ticket on my windshield. As I opened my car door a young man wearing a yellow jacket with “SECURITY” across the back approached me and asked if I understood the ticket. I said, “Not really,” and he pointed to an obscure sign over by Bullwinkle’s informing me that only State of Alaska employees may park where I did. After first acknowledging to him he was just doing his job, I felt the need to vent. I have lived in Juneau most of my life and take great pride in saying that. My wife and I are both work locally, pay CBJ property and sales taxes, buy locally most of the time, participate in community events, give to local charities and send our kids to Juneau public schools. Heck, we are even part of the “21-percenters” who vote in local elections.

That said, I don’t feel entitled to special privileges. I just want to know why it is so ridiculously hard to find a legal parking place downtown. It is no wonder locals who don’t live or work downtown avoid it like the plague, especially in the summer and especially during weekdays. To his credit, the poor fellow took my tirade in stride (probably not the first one he’s endured), and even agreed that CBJ’s parking policy was “vicious” (his word). So, I ask our incumbent and newly-elected Assembly members and Mayor Greg Fisk to again address the paucity of Downtown parking and to keep working on making Juneau more local-friendly.

• Robert W. Haight is a family physician and resident of Juneau since 1967.

More in Opinion

Web
Have something to say?

Here’s how to add your voice to the conversation.

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Letter: Another poison pill for American democracy

Among the “remedies” in the drug store known as the “One Big… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Letter: Don’t want to see Juneau turned into ‘Florida of the North’

I am beginning to notice that numerous very well-loved Juneau trails and… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Letter: Motor bikes not allowed in Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area

Parents/guardians: Please inform your youth with motorcycles and small motor bikes that… Continue reading

The Juneau Assembly hears public testimony during its meeting Monday, June 9, 2025, at City Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Opinion: Assembly set to mandate another complicated cumbersome voting system

In spite of dissatisfaction with the city’s unilateral decision to impose vote-by-mail… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Letter: A tribute to the sun of Juneau’s music

First-time bass player Jacquelyn Davis spoke at a recent Saturday night “Homelands”… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Letter: Dispersed camping and trail users

When I came to Juneau over 30 years ago, I felt very… Continue reading

The present-day KTOO public broadcasting building, built in 1959 for the U.S. Army’s Alaska Communications System Signal Corps, is located on filled tidelands near Juneau’s subport. Today vehicles on Egan Drive pass by the concrete structure with satellite dishes on the roof that receive signals from NPR, PBS and other sources. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo)
My Turn: Stand for the community radio, not culture war optics

Alaskans are different and we pride ourselves on that. If my vehicle… Continue reading

U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) delivers his annual speech to the Alaska Legislature on Thursday, March 20, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Opinion: Sullivan, Trump and the rule of lawlessness

In September 2023, U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan established his own Alaska Federal… Continue reading

Most Read