City and Borough of Juneau

The pool at the Dimond Park Aquatics Centers lies glassily smooth on July 23, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Public wades into candidate pool for city aquatics director

Candidates spoke to members of the public about their priorities and qualifications.

The pool at the Dimond Park Aquatics Centers lies glassily smooth on July 23, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
City and Borough of Juneau’s city manager, Rorie Watt, speaks to a crowd of people as they enjoy a slice of lasagna at the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce’s weekly luncheon on Thursday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Watt’s up: The city manager talks city budget and upcoming ballot initiatives

Lasagna with a side of ballot initiatives.

City and Borough of Juneau’s city manager, Rorie Watt, speaks to a crowd of people as they enjoy a slice of lasagna at the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce’s weekly luncheon on Thursday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
This March 2020 photo shows Juneau’s City Hall. It is midway through the week for candidates to file for October’s municipal election. Currently, no new filings have been entered since the initial first day filings, but both school board members with their seats opening up for election said they plan to run again in their current positions. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Midweek candidate filing update for this fall’s local election

Both school board members said they plan to file for reelection later this week

This March 2020 photo shows Juneau’s City Hall. It is midway through the week for candidates to file for October’s municipal election. Currently, no new filings have been entered since the initial first day filings, but both school board members with their seats opening up for election said they plan to run again in their current positions. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
This March 2020 photo shows Juneau's City Hall. Friday was the first day for candidates to file for October's municipal election. By the end of the day, only one certified candidate was listed on the CBJ website. However, all three Assembly members with expiring terms said they intent to run again. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Candidates file for this fall’s local election

Here’s who’s running after Day 1.

This March 2020 photo shows Juneau's City Hall. Friday was the first day for candidates to file for October's municipal election. By the end of the day, only one certified candidate was listed on the CBJ website. However, all three Assembly members with expiring terms said they intent to run again. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
An artist’s depiction shows winter view of a proposed new Juneau City Hall at 450 Whittier St. in Juneau that would cost roughly $40 million. A bond asking voters to approve most of the funding is likely to appear on the Oct. 4 municipal election ballot. (Courtesy Image / North Wind Architects)

City mulls spending $50K to ‘provide information’ on ballot measures

Assembly asked to OK funds to “provide information” on ballot items for new city hall, property buyers

An artist’s depiction shows winter view of a proposed new Juneau City Hall at 450 Whittier St. in Juneau that would cost roughly $40 million. A bond asking voters to approve most of the funding is likely to appear on the Oct. 4 municipal election ballot. (Courtesy Image / North Wind Architects)
Courtesy Image/ SHI This image shows the area along the downtown Juneau waterfront where 10 totem poles are expected to be raised in 2023. Sealaska Heritage Institute is working with the City and Borough of Juneau on placement, which is subject to change from positions shown in the image.

Totem pole trail project takes another step forward

The installation is planned to begin in early 2023.

Courtesy Image/ SHI This image shows the area along the downtown Juneau waterfront where 10 totem poles are expected to be raised in 2023. Sealaska Heritage Institute is working with the City and Borough of Juneau on placement, which is subject to change from positions shown in the image.
The City Borough of Juneau Assembly adopted an ordinance on Monday night that appropriated a $333,402 federal grant fund to be used to build a retaining wall and repave the parking lot at the AWARE site. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

AWARE receives funding to build retaining wall:

But with rise in construction costs, the organization will likely have to rework its design.

The City Borough of Juneau Assembly adopted an ordinance on Monday night that appropriated a $333,402 federal grant fund to be used to build a retaining wall and repave the parking lot at the AWARE site. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
The Four Points by Sheraton Hotel sits across from Gastineau Channel along Egan Dr. in downtown Juneau. According to hotel operators across Juneau, they have seen an increase in the number of booking this summer compared to last. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Checking in? Hotel tax revenue this quarter expected to be the second-highest ever.

If you need a hotel ASAP, you might be out of luck.

The Four Points by Sheraton Hotel sits across from Gastineau Channel along Egan Dr. in downtown Juneau. According to hotel operators across Juneau, they have seen an increase in the number of booking this summer compared to last. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
A plane flies in front of a downtown Juneau neighborhood in early May. City and Borough of Juneau Assembly Finance Committee members Wednesday discussed the availability of housing in Juneau. So far, Assembly members said, a tax abatement meant to spur development downtown has not been successful. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Housing issues dominate city committee agenda

The hot topic takes the hot seat.

A plane flies in front of a downtown Juneau neighborhood in early May. City and Borough of Juneau Assembly Finance Committee members Wednesday discussed the availability of housing in Juneau. So far, Assembly members said, a tax abatement meant to spur development downtown has not been successful. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
Juneau residents from Lemon Creek to Tee Harbor are no longer asked to conserve water.

City cancels request for residents to conserve water

Get your splash on.

Juneau residents from Lemon Creek to Tee Harbor are no longer asked to conserve water.
Courtesy of Protect Juneau Homeowners’ Privacy An Uncle Sam dinosaur adorns part of a float in Juneau’s July 4 by the group Protect Juneau Homeowner’s Privacy, which has successfully put a referendum on the Oct. 4 municipal election ballot to eliminate a requirement that property buyers publicly disclose purchase prices.

Petition to repeal city ordinance OK’d; Assembly has until Aug. 1 to repeal rule to nix election vote

“We needed 107. We turned in about 550.”

Courtesy of Protect Juneau Homeowners’ Privacy An Uncle Sam dinosaur adorns part of a float in Juneau’s July 4 by the group Protect Juneau Homeowner’s Privacy, which has successfully put a referendum on the Oct. 4 municipal election ballot to eliminate a requirement that property buyers publicly disclose purchase prices.
Locals gathered for a whale of a time near Tahku, the Alaska Whale Sculpture under shimmering lights and loud booms for the annual firework display over Gastineau Channel. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Juneau celebrates the Fourth of July

Bright lights in the big city.

Locals gathered for a whale of a time near Tahku, the Alaska Whale Sculpture under shimmering lights and loud booms for the annual firework display over Gastineau Channel. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Rachel Hightower and Ben Burns present a board showing homes, other buildings and activities near a proposed marijuana dispensary in Douglas, during a Juneau Planning Commission meeting Tuesday. The couple argued the dispensary, which was unanimously approved by the commission, is inappropriate for a neighborhood where there are families with small children and a school. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

First marijuana dispensary in Douglas clears early hurdle

Proposed shop approved by Planning Commission despite opposition from neighbors

Rachel Hightower and Ben Burns present a board showing homes, other buildings and activities near a proposed marijuana dispensary in Douglas, during a Juneau Planning Commission meeting Tuesday. The couple argued the dispensary, which was unanimously approved by the commission, is inappropriate for a neighborhood where there are families with small children and a school. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This photo shows the old Glory Hall building on South Franklin Street. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Glory Hall’s housing hopes survive

Plan turning downtown homeless shelter into apartments gets 2nd reprieve from Planning Commission

This photo shows the old Glory Hall building on South Franklin Street. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
A man bikes past the Assembly Building, located just across the street from the Alaska State Capitol. The building is set to be renovated into a 33-unit multi-family apartment complex to house legislative staff. (Clarise Larson /Juneau Empire)

Extra leg room: Commission OKs plan to make legislative apartments

It is set to become a 33-unit apartment complex designated for legislative staff

A man bikes past the Assembly Building, located just across the street from the Alaska State Capitol. The building is set to be renovated into a 33-unit multi-family apartment complex to house legislative staff. (Clarise Larson /Juneau Empire)
City Clerk Beth McEwen directs a fan at City Attorney Robert Palmer, left, and Assembly member Greg Smith as they discuss revisions to a list of proposed projects that will be funded by an extension of a temporary 1% sales tax if voters approve it this fall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Initial ‘shopping list’ for 1% sales tax extension drafted

Building maintenance, affordable housing and child care top proposals.

City Clerk Beth McEwen directs a fan at City Attorney Robert Palmer, left, and Assembly member Greg Smith as they discuss revisions to a list of proposed projects that will be funded by an extension of a temporary 1% sales tax if voters approve it this fall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The question of whether to exempt unprepared foods from sales tax is likely to be posed to Juneau residents via poll instead of on municipal ballots after Monday night's Committee of the Whole meeting. (Unsplash / nrd)

Food tax exemption to get a survey instead of a vote

Advisory vote during fall election nixed by Assembly members, who say poll will provide better data

The question of whether to exempt unprepared foods from sales tax is likely to be posed to Juneau residents via poll instead of on municipal ballots after Monday night's Committee of the Whole meeting. (Unsplash / nrd)
This photo shows a Capital Transit bus en route along Glacier Highway in the Mendenhall Valley. City officials are considering temporary cuts to some routes amid a shortage of drivers low ridership. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire.)

City considers cutting bus routes

Staff shortage and low ridership drive discussion.

This photo shows a Capital Transit bus en route along Glacier Highway in the Mendenhall Valley. City officials are considering temporary cuts to some routes amid a shortage of drivers low ridership. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire.)
An array of “I voted” stickers awaits voters Juneau’s municipal election in October 2020. Residents interested in running for Assembly and Juneau Board of Education seats in this year’s election can start getting schooled with a “toolkit” and workshop scheduled this week. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

School’s in for aspiring candidates

Assembly and school board members offer wise words as toolkit and workshop for local races arrive

An array of “I voted” stickers awaits voters Juneau’s municipal election in October 2020. Residents interested in running for Assembly and Juneau Board of Education seats in this year’s election can start getting schooled with a “toolkit” and workshop scheduled this week. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
This 2018 photo shows downtown Juneau. Commercial property owners filed in 2021 a record number of appeals of a property assessments. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Commercial property sees record appeals

The reason for the uproar is assessments for all commercial property were increased 50% for 2021.

This 2018 photo shows downtown Juneau. Commercial property owners filed in 2021 a record number of appeals of a property assessments. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)