City and Borough of Juneau

Construction on Capital Transit's new Mendenhall Valley Transit Center was underway on Thursday, April 14, 2022, on Mendenhall Mall Road. Officials hope the center to be open in July and are seeking public feedback about the scheduling of bus routes from the new center. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

With new transit center opening, officials seek feedback on bus scheduling

Take the survey.

Construction on Capital Transit's new Mendenhall Valley Transit Center was underway on Thursday, April 14, 2022, on Mendenhall Mall Road. Officials hope the center to be open in July and are seeking public feedback about the scheduling of bus routes from the new center. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
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Gondola is a go: City agrees to pay $1.33 million for used lift in Austria

Now, the trick is getting it home and installed at Eaglecrest Ski Area.

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Cassee Olin, director of administrative services for Juneau School District, Superintendent Bridget Weiss and City Manager Rorie Watt participate in a City and Borough of Juneau Finance Committee meeting. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Budgeting one tough step at a time

Lack of funds, people and certainty add to challenges as city leaders review spending plans.

Cassee Olin, director of administrative services for Juneau School District, Superintendent Bridget Weiss and City Manager Rorie Watt participate in a City and Borough of Juneau Finance Committee meeting. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This map, included in a City and Borough of Juneau Lands, Housing and Economic Development Committee meeting packet, shows the location of a proposed off-road vehicle park. The committee OK’d negotiations between the third party and an enthusiast group seeking to make the park a reality. (City and Borough of Juneau)

Off-road vehicle park gets traction

City pols OK negotiations for park at Mile 35 Glacier Highway.

This map, included in a City and Borough of Juneau Lands, Housing and Economic Development Committee meeting packet, shows the location of a proposed off-road vehicle park. The committee OK’d negotiations between the third party and an enthusiast group seeking to make the park a reality. (City and Borough of Juneau)
This March 2020 photo shows the Juneau’s current City Hall. A lot near Centennial Hall has emerged as a preferred location for a proposed new City Hall. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Lot next to Centennial Hall emerges as preferred site for new City Hall

Putting chambers for public meetings in convention center to save costs is a possibility.

This March 2020 photo shows the Juneau’s current City Hall. A lot near Centennial Hall has emerged as a preferred location for a proposed new City Hall. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
This photo shows Mill Campground, which is set to open on Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Mill Campground to open for the season

April 13-Oct. 13, CBJ announces.

This photo shows Mill Campground, which is set to open on Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This graph, included in the meeting packet for Thursday’s Joint Assembly School Board Facility Planning Committee, shows “high case,” “mid-case” and “low case” scenarios for enrollment in Juneau Schools. Enrollment is projected to decline by over 1,000 students in the mid-case scenario. (Screenshot)

A schooling in subtraction: Report projects drop in Juneau’s student enrollment over next 10 years

“Mid-range” forecast shows over 1,000-student reduction by 2032.

This graph, included in the meeting packet for Thursday’s Joint Assembly School Board Facility Planning Committee, shows “high case,” “mid-case” and “low case” scenarios for enrollment in Juneau Schools. Enrollment is projected to decline by over 1,000 students in the mid-case scenario. (Screenshot)
Juneau City Hall on Monday, March 30, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

With federal funds falling away, city readies its budget

City eyes an initial defecit.

Juneau City Hall on Monday, March 30, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Dozens of Ukranian dumplings, called varenyky, sit after being prepared for a benefit dinner and silent auction to benefit children in war-torn Ukraine on Friday, March 25, 2022. (Courtesy photo / Olena Zubya)

Charity dinner and auction to benefit Ukraine

Much ado about dumplings.

Dozens of Ukranian dumplings, called varenyky, sit after being prepared for a benefit dinner and silent auction to benefit children in war-torn Ukraine on Friday, March 25, 2022. (Courtesy photo / Olena Zubya)
The Assembly of the City and Borough of Juneau passed an amendment allowing for the possibility of a fifth cruise ship pier in the city’s Long Range Waterfront Plan on March 15, 2022. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

City OKs ordinance allowing for fifth pier in long-term plan

It’s not that it will be built, but that it can be built under the plan.

The Assembly of the City and Borough of Juneau passed an amendment allowing for the possibility of a fifth cruise ship pier in the city’s Long Range Waterfront Plan on March 15, 2022. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
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Juneau lawmaker’s bills would increase per-student funding

A modest increase.

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Masking requirement dropped for most city facilities

Schools, the hospital, the airport and public transit are subject to different rules.

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Juneau City Hall on Monday, March 30, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

City adopts new rules to combat Zoom bombing

No notice needed for in-person testimony.

Juneau City Hall on Monday, March 30, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
In this Jan. 6, 2017 photo, Juneau residents participate in the World’s Largest Lesson at Eaglecrest Ski Area. On Monday, CBJ Assembly conditionally approved acquisition of a new gondola for the ski area. Before it can come to town, the lift system will need to be inspected and a further report will be given to city officials. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

City takes big step toward acquiring $2M gondola

A split vote breaks in favor of buying the lift system.

In this Jan. 6, 2017 photo, Juneau residents participate in the World’s Largest Lesson at Eaglecrest Ski Area. On Monday, CBJ Assembly conditionally approved acquisition of a new gondola for the ski area. Before it can come to town, the lift system will need to be inspected and a further report will be given to city officials. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
The City and Borough of Juneau announced on Monday it is lowering its community risk level. The move means masking will no longer be required inside indoor, public spaces. Currently, masks are required in city facilities, but a chance is expected in the near future, said Deputy City Manager Robert Barr. (Pam Menegakis / Unsplash)

City lowers community risk level

Masks are recommended, but no longer required.

The City and Borough of Juneau announced on Monday it is lowering its community risk level. The move means masking will no longer be required inside indoor, public spaces. Currently, masks are required in city facilities, but a chance is expected in the near future, said Deputy City Manager Robert Barr. (Pam Menegakis / Unsplash)
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is currently working on a study for a second crossing across the Gastineau Channel, seen here on Aug. 22, 2021, to North Douglas Island. The public outreach portion of the study is set to begin in May, according to DOT. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Federal funds could pave way for a second crossing

An opportune time.

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is currently working on a study for a second crossing across the Gastineau Channel, seen here on Aug. 22, 2021, to North Douglas Island. The public outreach portion of the study is set to begin in May, according to DOT. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Juneau’s Docks and Harbors department is readying for the inbound cruise season as it makes headway on other projects around the city, said the harbormaster. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Docks and harbors rigs for cruise season

It’ll be the first full season since 2019.

Juneau’s Docks and Harbors department is readying for the inbound cruise season as it makes headway on other projects around the city, said the harbormaster. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Eaglecrest Ski Area is seeking to purchase a gondola system from an Austrian ski area to expand their summer operations. (Screenshot)

Eaglecrest seeks $2M to acquire new gondola for ski area

It would allow Eaglecrest to drastically expand summer operations and tourism opportunities, the GM said.

Eaglecrest Ski Area is seeking to purchase a gondola system from an Austrian ski area to expand their summer operations. (Screenshot)
The City and Borough of Juneau Committee of the Whole got an update on the city’s project to electrify two of the cruise piers on Feb. 14, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

City seeks to push forward on dock electrification project

They were recently denied a federal grant, but other options remain.

The City and Borough of Juneau Committee of the Whole got an update on the city’s project to electrify two of the cruise piers on Feb. 14, 2022. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
A city-owned grader moves snow before dawn on Feb. 4 on Tongass Boulevard in the Mendenhall Valley. City snow removal crews have been challenged by multiple winter storms and higher-than-average snowfall. (Ben Hohenstatt/Juneau Empire)

Snow and tell: City officials offer insight into removal challenges

“It’s really an intricate dance.”

A city-owned grader moves snow before dawn on Feb. 4 on Tongass Boulevard in the Mendenhall Valley. City snow removal crews have been challenged by multiple winter storms and higher-than-average snowfall. (Ben Hohenstatt/Juneau Empire)