Manager – City and Borough of Juneau

Update from the City Manager: Pushing for an Enduring Solution to Glacial Lake Outburst Floods

February 27, 2025

Good afternoon,

Earlier this week, I shared the difficult news regarding the change in direction by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) on an enduring solution to the ongoing threat of glacial lake outburst flooding (GLOF) in the Mendenhall Valley. I want to acknowledge the weight of that update as it threatens the longevity of our entire community. Many of us have invested years of effort, advocacy, and hope into advancing a long-term solution.

In summary, USACE informed us late last week that it is pivoting away from advancing the lake tap as the identified long-term solution. While they indicated continued interest in addressing the flooding threat, the emphasis was on robust flood fighting. Whatever the long-term solution is, we will need USACE supported flood fighting to get there. However, I am deeply concerned that all planning and design efforts have been diverted to flood fighting leaving uncertainty around an enduring solution.

Since Monday, we have been actively engaging with our federal delegation and senior USACE leadership. I met with staff from Dan Sullivan’s office and with Lee Forsgren, Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works). The Assistant Secretary re-affirmed his commitment to an enduring solution for Juneau. However, it is yet to be seen what that looks like.

I also met with staff from Lisa Murkowski’s office and have continued to keep Representative Begich’s office informed. I want to emphasize that our delegation remains dedicated advocates for this project and for Juneau. Their engagement this week has been evidence of that.

During a hearing on Wednesday before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Senator Sullivan directly questioned USACE leadership about the Corps’ change in position. A recording of the hearing is available here, starting at the 1:59 mark. In the hearing, the Senator underscored the urgency of the threat facing our community, pressed for accountability regarding the reversal, and sought clarity on both interim protections and a permanent fix. Testimony from Army officials reiterated a stated commitment to working toward a durable solution for Juneau and senior USACE officials committed to Senator Sullivan to travel to Juneau this spring. That visit will be an important opportunity to demonstrate the unique and imminent threat facing our community and to press for clarity on the path forward.

At the same time, the City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) is taking action. This week we submitted a Congressionally Directed Spending request for $8 million to support the geotechnical and planning work necessary to advance the lake tap solution, which is the most cost-effective, will take the least amount of time and is most likely to reduce flood risk without disrupting the entire Valley. Most importantly, it is supported by science and received a coordinated endorsement from Tlingit & Haida, the USDA Forest Service and CBJ. The geotechnical work will answer unknowns about the quality of the rock and refine what right now is a very basic cost estimate. We are continuing to push forward on every available front that may get us closer to the enduring solution for Juneau.

Thank you to the many residents who have reached out this week asking how to help. Supporting our federal delegation’s advocacy efforts and continuing to make your voices heard is one meaningful way we can stand together.

We will keep the pressure on. We will continue fighting to protect our community and our future. And I invite you to keep advocating alongside us.

Respectfully,
Katie Koester, City Manager
City and Borough of Juneau

February 27th, 2026|

Marine Park Improvements to Begin March 2

The planned rebuild of Marine Park will begin on Monday, March 2. Construction is expected to last through 2026 with estimated completion in April 2027. During this time, pedestrians will need to follow signs around the construction site. A map of pedestrian routes, along with information about the project, can be found at bit.ly/MarineParkProject.

Reconstruction of Marine Park is funded entirely by Marine Passenger Fees, which are fees and taxes the City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) collects from the cruise ship industry. The funds are restricted by the U.S. Constitution to projects benefitting cruise ships and their passengers.

Planning for the Marine Park rebuild began in 2023, when CBJ received over 1000 public survey responses and input from multiple public meetings. Based on the public input received, the final park was designed to provide a central gathering place for use in all seasons and by all ages, with the flexibility for a variety of community events and activities. The park will include an open plaza area with Northwest Coast formline inlay, a covered performance stage, ADA accessible picnic tables, seating overlooking the Juneau Seawalk, two vendor kiosks and a small play area.

CBJ is working to relocate regular vendors to new areas during the construction. Construction is being completed by Dawson Construction LLC.

For more information about Marine Park and the Marine Park Master Plan, contact CBJ Parks & Recreation at [email protected] or 907-586-5226.

February 20th, 2026|

Visitor Industry Task Force Meets February 19 to Discuss Downtown Crowding

The City and Borough of Juneau’s Visitor Industry Task Force meets Thursday, February 19 at 5:30 p.m. to discuss crowding in downtown Juneau during the cruise ship season. The meeting will be held in the City Hall Assembly Chambers, located at 155 Heritage Way, and over Zoom through the call-in details below:

Zoom Link: juneau.zoom.us/j/83826098583

Webinar ID: 838 2609 8583

For more information about the meeting, visit juneauak.portal.civicclerk.com or contact CBJ Visitor Industry Director Alix Pierce at [email protected].

February 16th, 2026|

CBJ, Tlingit & Haida Declare Local Disaster, Governor Dunleavy Declares State Disaster Ahead of Incoming Storm

The City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) and Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska (Tlingit & Haida) late yesterday issued a local disaster declaration and submitted a formal request for additional state assistance due to the prolonged heavy snowfall and resulting impacts creating an ongoing threat to critical infrastructure. Governor Dunleavy followed shortly after with a verbal State disaster declaration, opening access to emergency and operational resources needed to recover and prepare for an incoming atmospheric river.

Local disaster declarations are made when additional resources are needed to address an ongoing emergency. CBJ and Tlingit & Haida have determined that resources beyond those presently available are necessary to keep critical public facilities, including schools, safe. There is a local need for both funding and staffing resources to clear public facilities of ice and snow before additional weather events push loads beyond their design and safety capacities, making them unsafe for the students, staff and entire community of Juneau that rely on these facilities.

“This joint disaster declaration reflects the seriousness of what our community is facing and the responsibility we share to protect our people and critical infrastructure,” said Tlingit & Haida President Chalyee Éesh Richard Peterson. “The prolonged snowfall, combined with variable warming and freezing temperatures and additional storms ahead, poses real risks. We are grateful for the State of Alaska’s swift response and partnership, and we will continue working closely with CBJ, state agencies and our community to ensure safety, support recovery efforts and prepare for what’s next.”

Through the joint request, Tlingit & Haida and CBJ have requested state resources and expertise to addressing roof snow loads, drainage issues and hydrant access, as well as avalanche monitoring, and related operational support as we move closer to another storm. The National Weather Service predicts high precipitation levels and rapidly warming temperatures at the end of the week, that bring with them increased avalanche and landslide risk. The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) and partner agencies have already begun mobilizing resources and support.

“This disaster has shown us what our community can accomplish when we all come together. The partnership provided by Tlingit & Haida, Alaska DOT&PF, the National Weather Service and, most of all, our residents has been essential,” says CBJ City Manager, Katie Koester. “However, what we are experiencing is unprecedented. Our community is exhausted, the impacts are ongoing, and winter has just begun. We couldn’t be more grateful to our partners at the State of Alaska for recognizing this prolonged threat to our isolated community and providing the resources to help us recover.”

Per CBJ Code and State Law, the CBJ Assembly will make a ratification determination at a special meeting this evening, January 7th at 5:15 p.m. Public participation details are available at juneauak.portal.civicclerk.com.

CBJ and Tlingit & Haida appreciates the quick response from the SEOC, who began mobilizing staff from state agencies outside of Juneau to come assist even prior to the disaster declaration. Both governments also thank those state and local workers, residents and citizens who live here and have been engaged in the snow response from the beginning.

Key Ways Residents Can Stay Informed

Sign up for emergency alerts at bit.ly/CBJAlerts
Check in with the CBJ Avalanche Advisory webpage at bit.ly/CBJavalanche
View road closures at 511.alaska.gov
Stay tuned to the National Weather Service Juneau page at www.weather.gov/ajk
Review the interactive Avalanche Risk maps available at bit.ly/4pjkGBA
Follow partner agencies on social media

For inquiries, contact Ashley Heimbigner at [email protected] or (907) 586-5240.

January 7th, 2026|

CBJ Accepting Public Proposals For Marine Passenger Fee Proceeds Starting December 1

The City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) invites the public to submit proposals for how proceeds from the 2026 Marine Passenger Fee (MPF) are used. Proposals can be made via webform from December 1 to December 31, 2025. This annual process ensures that all members of the community can have a say in how fees from the cruise ship industry are reinvested in local business and services.

Various fees and taxes make up a $13 total fee per cruise ship passenger. These fees are designated to fund projects directly related to the visitor industry which enhance the tourism experience in Juneau and offset community impacts created by the cruise ship industry.

The use of these fees is constitutionally restricted. CBJ and Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) settled a lawsuit in 2019 with an agreement that governs how and where CBJ spends the fees. CBJ therefore encourages project proposals that benefit cruise ship passengers as well as Juneau residents. For a full description of project eligibility, please see CBJ 69.20.120.

Exciting examples of past projects funded in part through the MPF include the Downtown Seawalk project, growing pedestrian access to Juneau’s waterfront, and improvements to Juneau’s wastewater systems, increasing utility effectiveness and efficiency for all of Juneau’s residents and visitors. For more details, please see the full list of FY26 projects & associated funding totals.

After the proposal period has ended, the City Manager will develop a draft recommendation list followed by a 30-day comment period that can be found on the Marine Passenger Fee Program website. All materials will then be submitted to the Assembly Finance Committee for review, and then to the Assembly for consideration during the upcoming budget cycle.

Proposals must be submitted by December 31 on the webform or the City Manager’s Office, attention Alexandra Pierce, 155 Heritage Way, Juneau, Alaska 99801.

For more information, contact CBJ Visitor Industry Director Alexandra Pierce at [email protected] or visit the Marine Passenger Fee Program website.

December 1st, 2025|