Am I keeping an eye on the proposed Capital Civic Center as is suggested in a recent My Turn? You bet I am! As a Juneau resident for over 30 years, I can’t think of a better project to help ensure Juneau remains a great place to live and a place that will attract young families from outside who are looking for a beautiful, safe location with opportunities to enjoy the outdoors and the indoors, with a huge variety of community events designed for all ages.
How many thousands of Juneau families have attended the Alaska Folk Festival, Wearable Arts, Aak’w Rock, the summer Farmer’s Markets, musical performances, dances, fundraisers, legislative events, and awards dinners at Centennial Hall? How many Juneau kids have had their first experience performing on stage at the JACC or in Centennial Hall?
The JACC has served Juneau well for decades, but it is long past its expiration date as a functional building, and the 40 year old Centennial Hall was designed with a second floor in mind and will continue to serve our city for years to come if we act now to enlarge and enhance it.
Travel Juneau and the Juneau Chamber of Commerce have endorsed the project because their members realize that an improved Centennial Hall will attract more and larger programs to Juneau – conventions, expos, independent tourist events — that, in turn, fill our hotels and restaurants. And thousands of Juneauites support the proposed Center because we view it as a wise investment in our community.
Yes, it’s a big project, and details of design, funding, maintenance costs, staffing, and more will continue to be addressed and debated. But what an incredible home the Capital Civic Center will be for the enrichment of Juneau’s community far into the future.
• Susan Schrader is a member of the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council Board. She resides in West Juneau.Columns, My Turns and Letters to the Editor represent the view of the author, not the view of the Juneau Empire. Have something to say? Here’s how to submit a My Turn or letter.