Juneau assembly directs city-led public process for Auk Landing tidelands lease with Hoonah Totem

The Juneau Assembly on Jan. 20 directed staff to begin a City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ)–led public process to develop a tidelands lease with Hoonah Totem Corporation for the Auk Landing cruise-berth and uplands project, Mayor Beth Weldon moved and the assembly adopted the motion by unanimous consent.

The directive follows a staff presentation from Visitor Industry Director Alex Pierce and a project presentation from Susan Bell of Hoonah Totem Corporation and Sandy Weir of Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL). Pierce told the assembly she would present survey results and hold at least one public meeting, bring a draft lease and project design to a committee of the whole for public testimony, and then schedule a public hearing. "I would anticipate a... shorter process. Fewer meetings, but... a robust public discussion, which is really what I believe is important and needed right now," Pierce said.

Why it matters: The Auk Landing proposal would add a new cruise berth and uplands development at the site commonly called the subport, north of the bridge at Whittier and Egan drives. Proponents say the dock could reduce downtown vehicle and pedestrian congestion, provide shore-power capability to lower emissions, and create year-round cultural and visitor amenities; opponents and some assembly members pressed for more detail on navigability, traffic impacts, year‑round operations and utility electrification costs.

What was presented and discussed

Susan Bell, representing…