Plans to build a fifth cruise ship dock in Juneau, Alaska, moved a step forward when the local government issued a ruling last Monday that indicated there are no legal impediments.
The ruling arose from an appeal filed by local activist Karla Hart. According to Hart, the new dock would compromise public health and safety. She also reasoned that it did not adhere to the city’s development plan for the waterfront.
The July 29 decision refuted these objections. Local news publication KTOO shared that the proposed facility did not “materially endanger public health and safety” based on the State Office of Administrative Hearings’ findings. The panel agreed that the plan aligns with the city’s waterfront development strategy.
Hart said she doesn’t plan to contest the ruling but will monitor what happens next.
| Juneau Assembly member, Christine Woll, was careful to manage expectations, especially for Huna Totem Corp who proposed the project. “Please do not interpret our decision tonight as a policy decision around the Huna Totem dock,” she reminded them. “This decision tonight is simply about whether we are legally allowed to.” |
Indeed, the proposed facility still has a long way to go before development begins. One of its major hurdles is obtaining the Assembly’s approval to lease the area.
Huna Totem President and CEO Russell Dick is optimistic after the encouraging outcome. He expressed his eagerness to get the ball rolling, saying, “As far as the appeal that was filed, this was the appropriate decision by the Assembly. I think the administrative law judge got it right and we’re ready to move on to the next step.”
Juneau’s Fifth Cruise Port
Norwegian Cruise Line first purchased the waterfront property in 2019 and turned it over to Huna Totem in 2022.
In addition to a dock, the Juneau-based organization hopes to build a welcome center, commercial area, and parking facilities by 2025. It also announced a “flex space,” a 35,000-foot area that will later be developed as necessary. The new cruise port in Juneau’s downtown district has been named Aak’w Landing.
Juneau has been forced to decide on policies that balance economic interests with residents’ concerns. In recent years, this has meant introducing daily cruise ship limits and cruise ship passenger limits and giving citizens the opportunity to vote on whether or not they should have cruise ship-free Saturdays.
