I have been debating whether to vote for a new City Hall and have decided to vote against it for only one reason — I believe our city administration puts a higher priority on offices for city employees than they do on housing for residents. To tell residents of Telephone Hill who have lived there for decades that they have a minimum of four months to find new housing is hardly reassuring. Nor is the statement that the earlier they start looking, the likelihood of finding suitable housing is higher. Really? How many “suitable” housing units do the residents of Telephone Hill have to find in the next four months? How many residents who do not live on Telephone Hill do not have suitable housing? With a shortage of labor in the building trades, construction of a new City Hall will inevitably come at the expense of new residential construction. Until the city is willing to place a higher priority and commit equivalent resources to housing, I am not supportive of more office space.
Judy Crondahl,
Juneau
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