City and Borough of Juneau

City and Borough of Juneau Assembly members Alicia Hughes-Skandijs and Wade Bryson listen to public testimony Monday night about whether the city should adopt new maps that show updated landslide and avalanche risk downtown. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Assembly sends hazard maps back to committee following public opposition

The move follows multiple rounds of public testimony advocating against the maps’ adoption.

City and Borough of Juneau Assembly members Alicia Hughes-Skandijs and Wade Bryson listen to public testimony Monday night about whether the city should adopt new maps that show updated landslide and avalanche risk downtown. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Deputy City Manager Robert Barr shares an update with the Assembly Monday evening following Resurrection Lutheran Church’s decision to not host the city’s cold weather emergency shelter this year. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

City’s struggle to provide a winter homeless shelter continues

Combination of downtown transit center and bus considered as church again rejects hosting shelter.

Deputy City Manager Robert Barr shares an update with the Assembly Monday evening following Resurrection Lutheran Church’s decision to not host the city’s cold weather emergency shelter this year. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Cars pass down Egan Drive near the Fred Meyer intersection Thursday morning. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Assembly passes resolution urging Fred Meyer intersection safety improvements

Members unanimously vote to ask state to provide funding for traffic light, other upgrades.

Cars pass down Egan Drive near the Fred Meyer intersection Thursday morning. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Traffic at the Fred Meyer intersection, formally known as Egan and Yandukin drives, in November 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Assembly to formally urge state to improve safety at Fred Meyer intersection

A special meeting with a resolution seeking action planned Wednesday.

Traffic at the Fred Meyer intersection, formally known as Egan and Yandukin drives, in November 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Mountains tower over downtown Juneau in late May. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Assembly in committee votes against new hazard maps adoption

“Downtown is not the only place we have problems.”

Mountains tower over downtown Juneau in late May. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
The project manager for the Centennial Hall ballroom renovation, Lisa Eagan-Lagerquist, points out new features of the ballroom set to open its doors again for the first time on Saturday after nearly nine months under construction. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Centennial Hall ballroom opening back up with a new look

Saturday marks the first event since its closure in December for renovations.

The project manager for the Centennial Hall ballroom renovation, Lisa Eagan-Lagerquist, points out new features of the ballroom set to open its doors again for the first time on Saturday after nearly nine months under construction. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
This is a picture of a half-pipe at the Pipeline Skate Park in the Mendenhall Valley. The City and Borough of Juneau Parks and Recreation Department is looking for residents to drop in some ideas about what they’d like to see that would improve or enhance Jackie Renninger Park in a survey. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Big changes could be on deck for Pipeline Skate Park and surrounding land

City opens survey seeking input about possible improvements to Jackie Renninger Park.

This is a picture of a half-pipe at the Pipeline Skate Park in the Mendenhall Valley. The City and Borough of Juneau Parks and Recreation Department is looking for residents to drop in some ideas about what they’d like to see that would improve or enhance Jackie Renninger Park in a survey. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Rorie Watt, manager for the City and Borough of Juneau, speaks to the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce about the new City Hall project on Thursday. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

City manager: A new City Hall ‘just makes financial sense’

Rorie Watt advocates for the project set to be proposed to voters on the ballot this fall

Rorie Watt, manager for the City and Borough of Juneau, speaks to the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce about the new City Hall project on Thursday. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
A “vote here” sign hangs duct taped outside of City Hall in October 2022. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Final day to register to vote in upcoming city election is fast approaching

City officials share info and tips for this coming Oct. 3 municipal election.

A “vote here” sign hangs duct taped outside of City Hall in October 2022. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
This rendering depicts Huna Totem Corp.’s proposed new cruise ship dock downtown that was approved for a conditional-use permit by the City and Borough of Juneau Planning Commission in early July. The project has since been appealed and following Assembly action Monday night will now be assigned to a hearing officer. (City and Borough of Juneau)

Assembly accepts appeal of new cruise ship dock permit, assigns hearing officer

Appeal process can take anywhere from six to nine months before a decision is made, attorney says.

This rendering depicts Huna Totem Corp.’s proposed new cruise ship dock downtown that was approved for a conditional-use permit by the City and Borough of Juneau Planning Commission in early July. The project has since been appealed and following Assembly action Monday night will now be assigned to a hearing officer. (City and Borough of Juneau)
A Capital Transit bus makes its way downtown in August. The City and Borough of Juneau is considering a public transit bus to use as a winter warming shelter as it has received no bids to host a shelter. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

City considers overnight warming bus for homeless during winter

Temporary option in discussion as city faces no prospects to host winter warming shelter.

A Capital Transit bus makes its way downtown in August. The City and Borough of Juneau is considering a public transit bus to use as a winter warming shelter as it has received no bids to host a shelter. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File Rows of houses line Douglas Highway in late May. On Monday the Assembly approved a program that will offer $13,500 to the first 16 eligible Juneau residents who apply with the city’s Accessory Dwelling Unit Grant Program to go toward constructing an accessory dwelling unit on their property.

City OKs program to give 16 residents $13.5K grants to build accessory dwelling unit

City to begin accepting applications later this week, manager says

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File Rows of houses line Douglas Highway in late May. On Monday the Assembly approved a program that will offer $13,500 to the first 16 eligible Juneau residents who apply with the city’s Accessory Dwelling Unit Grant Program to go toward constructing an accessory dwelling unit on their property.
This is a photo of the Juneau Police Department’s new armored security vehicle that arrived in March. (Courtesy / Krag Campbell)

Police department’s new $348K armored vehicle arrived in March

“At this time, we’re just not trying to show this vehicle off,” JPD spokesperson says.

This is a photo of the Juneau Police Department’s new armored security vehicle that arrived in March. (Courtesy / Krag Campbell)
This is a photo shared on the Save Juneau Facebook page. The group is running a campaign opposing the new City Hall proposal set to appear on this October’s municipal ballot, and intends to back Assembly candidates “who are most likely to give taxpayers some relief.” (Courtesy / Molly Duvall)

Campaign group forms to oppose new City Hall, criticizes Assembly’s ‘out-of-touch’ attitude

Save Juneau to support Assembly candidates “who are most likely to give taxpayers some relief.”

This is a photo shared on the Save Juneau Facebook page. The group is running a campaign opposing the new City Hall proposal set to appear on this October’s municipal ballot, and intends to back Assembly candidates “who are most likely to give taxpayers some relief.” (Courtesy / Molly Duvall)
Students enter a bus stopped on Douglas Highway Tuesday morning for the first day of the 2023-2024 school year. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

New school year starts for students in Juneau

District welcomes a new superintendent, principals and early release policy for elementary students.

Students enter a bus stopped on Douglas Highway Tuesday morning for the first day of the 2023-2024 school year. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
This rendering depicts Huna Totem Corp.’s proposed new downtown development project that was approved for a conditional permit by the City and Borough of Juneau Planning Commission Tuesday night. (City and Borough of Juneau)

Major $150 million downtown waterfront development project passes another hurdle

Nearly three-acre Huna Totem Aak’w Landing Project approved by planning commission.

This rendering depicts Huna Totem Corp.’s proposed new downtown development project that was approved for a conditional permit by the City and Borough of Juneau Planning Commission Tuesday night. (City and Borough of Juneau)
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg gives a speech in Washington in early May. Buttigieg is expected to arrive in Juneau next Wednesday a part of a three-day tour traveling to several communities in Alaska. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to arrive in Juneau next week

This visit is a part of a three-day tour of Alaska communities and infrastructure.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg gives a speech in Washington in early May. Buttigieg is expected to arrive in Juneau next Wednesday a part of a three-day tour traveling to several communities in Alaska. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Rows of houses line roads near Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé in late May. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

City considers funding boost to accessory dwelling grant program

Assembly move forward in committee to extend the program, increase grant amount.

Rows of houses line roads near Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé in late May. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
City and Borough of Juneau Mayor Beth Weldon (far left), Deputy Mayor Maria Gladziszewski (middle) and Assembly member Michelle Bonnet Hale listen during a special Assembly meeting Monday night where members OK’d a resolution to seek state and federal funding following record flooding over the weekend. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

City seeks state, federal assistance in aftermath of record Suicide Basin flooding

Assembly votes in special meeting to OK resolution requesting state action.

City and Borough of Juneau Mayor Beth Weldon (far left), Deputy Mayor Maria Gladziszewski (middle) and Assembly member Michelle Bonnet Hale listen during a special Assembly meeting Monday night where members OK’d a resolution to seek state and federal funding following record flooding over the weekend. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Debris from one partially destroyed house lies on the bank of the Mendenhall River while a large portion of an adjacent house hangs over the riverbank at midday Sunday following record flooding Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Cleanup begins as city declares Suicide Basin flooding a local emergency

Salvage efforts are underway Sunday as water rapidly recedes.

Debris from one partially destroyed house lies on the bank of the Mendenhall River while a large portion of an adjacent house hangs over the riverbank at midday Sunday following record flooding Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)