Juneau assembly approves HESCO-barrier local improvement district after contentious public hearing

The Juneau City and Borough Assembly on Feb. 3 approved an ordinance creating Local Improvement District No. 210 to install HESCO flood barriers along the Minnehaha River and appropriating funds for the first phase of the project.

The ordinance, identified in meeting materials as ordinance 2024-40 AM, covers the phase-1 HESCO installation estimated in staff materials at $7,830,000 and includes an assessment rule and repayment terms for affected property owners. Deputy Mayor Smith moved the ordinance and an adopted amendment that sets a 0% interest rate for the initial repayment period and provides 0% interest for the first 10 years on four larger assessments before increasing to about 4.78% thereafter. The measure passed by unanimous consent after public testimony and a recess to count written objections.

Why it matters: The proposal responds to flooding in the Minnehaha Valley and is intended as an immediate protective measure before a longer-term solution can be designed and funded. The hearing drew large turnout from valley residents, who expressed sharp disagreement about costs, project scope and potential downstream impacts.

City staff told the assembly that the city used inundation maps to…