Resident Gayla Heights urges caution on $79 million PIDP ferry float match, warns it could limit shared-use floating dock options

Gayla Heights, speaking during the public-comment period, thanked Skagway Municipality and Port of Skagway staff for issuing an RFP for an updated port master plan and asked the assembly to consider whether accepting a PIDP grant match for a $79,000,000 ferry-float replacement would foreclose a future shared-use floating-dock solution.

"Will agreeing to the match for the PIDP grant for the replacement of the current ferry float and associated infrastructure for $79,000,000 preclude the future consideration of a shared use facility at that location?" Heights asked, citing older planning studies and the age of visiting cruise ships. She referenced a 2017 Moffett and Nichols study and a 2021 port master plan that included a floating-dock concept for the Ferry Peninsula near Alaska Marine Highway facilities.

Heights warned that some cruise vessels (she noted Princess' Coral class, launched in 2002, and the Zaandam, launched in 1998) are approaching typical retirement ages and may be replaced by larger ships that could require floating docks. She asked the assembly whether approving the PIDP funding match for the ferry float might limit options for accommodating future cruise-ship needs.

Chair Assembly member Potter acknowledged the comment and noted the port master-plan topic is scheduled for the full assembly agenda the following evening. The committee did not make a determination during the finance meeting; Heights' question was recorded for consideration when the assembly reviews the port redevelopment plan.