Municipal Government

This rendering depicts Huna Totem Corp.’s proposed new downtown development project. (City and Borough of Juneau)

Aak’w Landing private cruise ship dock advances to full Assembly for possible April vote

Modifications to proposed agreement include ship size limit, Coast Guard’s OK due to icebreaker.

 

A 2.9-acre plot of land donated to Huna Totem Corp. by Norwegian Cruise Line is the site for the proposed Aak’w Landing private cruise ship dock. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire file photo)

Amendments to Huna Totem’s proposed private cruise dock to be taken up Monday night by the Assembly

A dozen proposals seek limits on ship size, fines for violations, setting various operational goals.

 

David Witthohn, senior portfolio specialist for Insight Investment, offers an overview of the City and Borough of Juneau’s investment portfolio during a Assembly Finance Committee meeting Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at City Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Economic slowdown expected due to Trump’s policies, CBJ leaders told by investment advisor

Surprisingly strong economic performance last fall now halted due to firings, cuts, tariff threats.

 

A snowmaker operates at Eaglecrest Ski Area on Feb. 10, 2025. (Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)

Eaglecrest Ski Area board OKs 40% hike in employee compensation, hoping to fix hiring woes

Increase in requested budget comes amidst Assembly warnings about money being tight.

A snowmaker operates at Eaglecrest Ski Area on Feb. 10, 2025. (Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)
Water spills into homes and streets in the Mendenhall Valley following record flooding from the Mendenhall River on the morning of Aug. 6, 2024. (Photo by Rich Ross)

Site assessments begin in neighborhoods where flood barriers will be installed

HESCO barriers are on their way to Juneau. Funding to study a long-term solution is not guaranteed.

Water spills into homes and streets in the Mendenhall Valley following record flooding from the Mendenhall River on the morning of Aug. 6, 2024. (Photo by Rich Ross)
Terry Allen rides his jet ski at Auke Lake on Monday, Aug. 19, 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Proposal for commercial Jet Ski tours originating downtown sinks before harbor board

Operator says he will seek different site after officials say he implied support that doesn’t exist.

Terry Allen rides his jet ski at Auke Lake on Monday, Aug. 19, 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Juneau Assembly members and other visitors examine a meeting room in the Michael J. Burns Building formerly used by the Alaska State Board of Education and Early Development on Monday, April 8, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Assembly OKs negotiations to relocate city offices to Burns building; concerns about cost linger

Building owners asking $12M for space assessed at $9.3M; city manager says alternatives are limited.

Juneau Assembly members and other visitors examine a meeting room in the Michael J. Burns Building formerly used by the Alaska State Board of Education and Early Development on Monday, April 8, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Huna Totem Corp. team members meet with the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly in a work session on the company’s proposed Aak’w Landing project on Feb. 24, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Huna Totem Corp. team members meet with the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly in a work session on the company’s proposed Aak’w Landing project on Feb. 24, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Juneau Municipal Clerk Beth McEwen listens to a discussion during a Juneau Assembly meeting Monday, Dec. 11, 2023. She was named the Municipal Clerk of the Year by the Alaska Association of Municipal Clerks the previous week. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Juneau City Clerk Beth McEwen announces retirement after nearly 30 years with CBJ

Winner of statewide Municipal Employee of the Year in 2015 and Municipal Clerk of the Year in 2023.

Juneau Municipal Clerk Beth McEwen listens to a discussion during a Juneau Assembly meeting Monday, Dec. 11, 2023. She was named the Municipal Clerk of the Year by the Alaska Association of Municipal Clerks the previous week. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The Norwegian Jewel begins its departure from Juneau on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, marking the official end of the annual cruise ship season. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo)

Community support for tourism continues slow decline in annual survey

29% say impacts generally positive, 13% negative; responses were 40% positive, 6% negative in 2002

The Norwegian Jewel begins its departure from Juneau on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, marking the official end of the annual cruise ship season. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo)
Juneau International Airport is getting new leadership in its administration and board of directors. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file photo)

Assembly names two new airport board members in shakeup after budget stalemate

Angela Rodell and David Epstein, both former members, to get quick start at seeking solution this week.

Juneau International Airport is getting new leadership in its administration and board of directors. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file photo)
Cars arrive at Juneau International Airport on Thursday, July 11, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Juneau’s airport asking long-ago manager Dave Palmer to return temporarily amidst leadership changes

Palmer would return in April as longtime manager retires; Assembly removes two airport board members.

Cars arrive at Juneau International Airport on Thursday, July 11, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Fireworks detonate just above a barge in Gastineau Channel during the show that began just after midnight on July 4, 2023. (Photo by Bob Gross)

City leaders consider alternatives to July 4 fireworks show after 2023 mishap raises safety concerns

Assembly members OKs same show this year if volunteer group willing, exploring other options for future.

Fireworks detonate just above a barge in Gastineau Channel during the show that began just after midnight on July 4, 2023. (Photo by Bob Gross)
A sign at the former Floyd Dryden Middle School on Monday, June 24, 2024, commemorates the school being in operation from 1973 to 2024. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
A sign at the former Floyd Dryden Middle School on Monday, June 24, 2024, commemorates the school being in operation from 1973 to 2024. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
A preliminary design of Huna Totem’s Aak’w Landing shows an idea for how the project’s Seawalk could connect with the city’s Seawalk at Gold Creek (left). (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: To make Juneau affordable, grow our economy

Based on the deluge of comments on social media, recent proposals by the city to dramatically escalate debt and utility rates, and increase the property… Continue reading

A preliminary design of Huna Totem’s Aak’w Landing shows an idea for how the project’s Seawalk could connect with the city’s Seawalk at Gold Creek (left). (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Juneau Assembly Member Maureen Hall (left) and Mayor Beth Weldon (center) talk to residents during a break in an Assembly meeting Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, about the establishment of a Local Improvement District that would require homeowners in the area to pay nearly $6,300 each for barriers to protect against glacial outburst floods. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Flood district plan charging property owners nearly $6,300 each gets unanimous OK from Assembly

117 objections filed for 466 properties in Mendenhall Valley deemed vulnerable to glacial floods.

Juneau Assembly Member Maureen Hall (left) and Mayor Beth Weldon (center) talk to residents during a break in an Assembly meeting Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, about the establishment of a Local Improvement District that would require homeowners in the area to pay nearly $6,300 each for barriers to protect against glacial outburst floods. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A map shows properties within a proposed Local Improvement District whose owners could be charged nearly $6,300 each for the installation of a semi-permanent levee to protect the area from floods. (City and Borough of Juneau map)

81 of 466 property owners object to flood district plan ahead of Assembly vote on Monday

Residents in zone would have to pay about $6,300 each for barriers if plan approved.

A map shows properties within a proposed Local Improvement District whose owners could be charged nearly $6,300 each for the installation of a semi-permanent levee to protect the area from floods. (City and Borough of Juneau map)
A street sign on Pederson Hill. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)

Effort to reduce street fatalities is first CBJ project put on hold due to Trump’s vow to slash federal budget

Open houses to get public input on grant-funded program canceled due to uncertainty about funds

A street sign on Pederson Hill. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)
Mike Satre (left), chair of Eaglecrest Ski Area’s board of directors, talks about the resort’s plans with Mayor Beth Weldon and Juneau Assembly Member Neil Steininger following an Assembly Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday night at City Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Assembly members say they’re willing to loan Eaglecrest money until gondola is ready

Report criticizing ski area’s finances and maintenance also contains enough promise for city leaders.

Mike Satre (left), chair of Eaglecrest Ski Area’s board of directors, talks about the resort’s plans with Mayor Beth Weldon and Juneau Assembly Member Neil Steininger following an Assembly Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday night at City Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
President Donald Trump signs Executive Orders in the Oval Office of the White House, in Washington on Thursday, Jan., 23, 2025. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)

White House freezes all federal grants and loans

Juneau leaders say city should be able to cope, but express concern about smaller towns and uncertainty.

President Donald Trump signs Executive Orders in the Oval Office of the White House, in Washington on Thursday, Jan., 23, 2025. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)