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Docks & Harbors wants public participation on downtown waterfront planning

September 1, 2017 – News, Notices for Public Comment

City and Borough of Juneau Docks & Harbors is in the process of planning how to develop the waterfront from Marine Park to the Taku Smokeries Dock. Should the area have more eating establishments, more public space, more parking areas for the visitor industry? These are just a few of the options being considered by the Docks & Harbors Board. The public has an opportunity to weigh in with ideas and visions at a meeting on Wednesday, September 6 at 5 p.m. in Assembly Chambers.

When the two new floating cruise ship berths opened this spring, cruise ship embarkment and disembarkment moved offshore, freeing up prime waterfront space that wasn’t there before.

“Our goal is to work with the Docks & Harbors Board and the public to see what kinds of things they want, what makes sense, so that we have a map forward as we make changes,” CBJ Port Engineer Gary Gillette said.

Given its proximity to the cruise ships, the waterfront between Marine Park and the Taku Smokeries Dock is popular during the visitor season. Gillette would like the planning process to allow even more use of the area.

“What we’re really hoping is that it’ll become a year-round place. Hopefully we can come up with some ideas – whether its food trucks, public space or whatever – that attracts people to come down during the off-season,” he said.

At the 5 p.m. meeting on Sept. 6, the public will hear an economic analysis from Rain Coast Data and start brainstorming ideas with Corvus Design. On Sept. 7, the design team is holding a day long “Open Studio” in the Senate building’s fourth floor boardroom from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Members of the public can drop in and talk one-on-one with the design team about ideas and visions. At a Sept. 28 meeting at 5 p.m., the Docks & Harbors Board will hear a presentation on preliminary plan concepts.

For more information, contact CBJ Port Engineer Gary Gillette at 586-0398 or [email protected].