Process to demolish former Public Safety Building to start this week

Contractors for the City and Borough of Juneau plan to put up fencing around the former Public Safety Building on Whittier Street this week to begin the demolition process. Once the building is down, CBJ will install a temporary parking lot until a long-term design for the Willoughby District is established.

CBJ is working with Coogan Construction on the project, which will be done in separate phases. Work includes hazardous materials abatement, taking down the building, excavation, installing the asphalt, and striping the parking lot. During the project, fencing will block seven parking spaces along the side of the building facing the Juneau Arts & Culture Center. The alleyway between the building and Zach Gordon Youth Center will also be fenced off. As the project gets underway, CBJ will issue notifications to alert the public of other interruptions.

Built in the 1970s with a 30-year design life, the building has severe structural problems. CBJ purchased the building from the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority last year using funding from a State of Alaska grant. The temporary parking lot will have about 60 spaces. As the Willoughby District Land Use Plan gets formulated, CBJ will determine the property’s long-term use.

For more information, contact Project Manager Lisa EaganLagerquist at 586-0893 or [email protected].