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Assembly authorizes direct negotiations with Gold Belt for Seadrome area redevelopment
Summary
The assembly voted to allow staff to begin direct negotiations with Gold Belt (DBA Cultural Preservation Inc.) on a possible land exchange or negotiated sale to support redevelopment of the Seadrome building and resolve parcel configuration issues; no sales agreement was approved at the meeting.
The Juneau City and Borough Assembly on Jan. 6, 2025 adopted a motion of support to begin direct negotiations with Gold Belt (doing business as Cultural Preservation, Inc.) concerning upland parcels and the Seadrome building at 76 Egan Drive.
City staff said ownership of the upland property around the Seadrome is a "quilt work" of small parcels owned by Gold Belt and by the City and Borough (managed by Docks and Harbors). The parcel configuration prevents either party from efficiently redeveloping the site because access, setbacks and parcel lines constrain options. Gold Belt has proposed a land exchange or purchase that could allow replacement of the existing building with a new waterfront facility. Staff said there were no monetary commitments by CBJ to begin negotiations, and any sale or exchange would later return to the assembly for ordinance adoption and Docks and Harbors Board review.
Public testimony from Heather Marlowe encouraged the assembly to pursue a broader approach that includes adjacent wharf and waterfront projects to achieve fire egress to Centennial Hall and complete related seawall work. Assembly members asked staff about parking and project scale; staff said Gold Belt "is aware of the design limitations" and that details of any swap or sale would return to the assembly for approval. One assembly member referenced past negotiations on nearby waterfront parcels where lack of specificity (for example, parking requirements) later became a barrier; staff said they have discussed such constraints with Gold Belt in advance.
The assembly adopted a motion of support to begin direct negotiations, with members noting that any specific exchange, lease or sale would come back to the assembly for final approval.
