The public has until May 7 to comment on the City Manager’s recommendations for how to allocate cruise ship Marine Passenger Fee (MPF) proceeds in the upcoming year. Read the draft proposal on the MPF website.

The draft proposal makes recommendations on expenditure of funds that come from the $5 City and Borough of Juneau Marine Passenger Fee, $3 CBJ Port Development Fee, and the $5 State of Alaska Commercial Passenger Vessel Fee. For budgeting purposes, CBJ has estimated that about 1.65 million passengers will come to Juneau this year. Based on that projection, the amount of revenue in fiscal year 2026 is anticipated to be roughly $21.5 million.

In December, CBJ solicited project proposals from city departments and the public, including businesses and the visitor industry, to be funded with MPF proceeds. The Visitor Industry Director is recommending 29 operating, grant and capital funding allocations. They include:

• Covered bus stop on Mendenhall Loop Road
• Dock safety cameras on the downtown seawalk
• Pulse Point emergency responder app
• Improvements to Marine Park
• Funding for shore power
• Water and wastewater system upgrades

Submit comments on the recommendations by Wednesday, May 7, 2025 to CBJ Visitor Industry Director Alexandra Pierce by email to [email protected] or by mail to the City Manager’s Office, attn: Alexandra Pierce, 155 S. Seward Street, Juneau, Alaska 99801.

All Marine Passenger Fee project proposals and comments will be forwarded along with the City Manager’s recommendation list to the Assembly Finance Committee for review, and then to the Assembly for consideration during the upcoming budget cycle.

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

The City and Borough of Juneau will accept public proposals for projects to be funded with 2025 Marine Passenger Fee proceeds from December 2, 2024 through January 2, 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.

This year, all submissions may be made via a webform that provides more information about the restricted nature of these funds and aims to encourage more successful submissions.

The Marine Passenger Fee, a $5 fee per cruise ship passenger, was established in 1999 by Juneau voters. The fees are designated to fund projects directly related to the visitor industry that enhance the tourism experience in Juneau and offset community impacts created by the cruise ship industry.

The public, including businesses and the visitor industry, are encouraged to submit project proposals to be funded with MPF proceeds. Projects must address an impact made on the community by the cruise ship industry or an aspect of the tourism experience for cruise ship passengers. For a full description of project eligibility, please see CBJ 69.20.120.

The City Manager will develop a draft recommendation list of projects to be funded by Marine Passenger Fee proceeds, followed by a 30-day public comment period. The draft recommendation and all proposals will available at the Marine Passenger Fee Program website.

All Marine Passenger Fee project proposals and comments will be forwarded along with the City Manager’s recommendation list to the Assembly Finance Committee for review, and then to the Assembly for consideration during the upcoming budget cycle.

Proposals must be submitted by January 2, 2025 on the webform or the City Manager’s Office, attention Alexandra Pierce, 155 S. Seward Street, Juneau, Alaska 99801.

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

On August 6, a glacial outburst flood from the Mendenhall Glacier led to record river highs and widespread flooding in Juneau’s most populous residential area. At the latest count, nearly 290 residences were damaged and hundreds of Juneauites displaced from their homes.

In the wake of the disaster, corporations, charitable foundations, and individuals from Alaska and beyond have stepped up to contribute to relief efforts. Juneau is a community with strong ties to the visitor industry, and businesses from major cruise lines to local Franklin Street shops have honored that relationship with significant financial donations.

“We deeply appreciate this support at a time when our community is in need,” said CBJ Visitor Industry Director Alexandra Pierce. “With so many households affected, everyone in Juneau has felt the impact—whether or not they have ties to the visitor industry. Recovery will take time, and these contributions will make a recognizable difference in helping families get back on their feet.”

CBJ gratefully recognizes the following visitor industry businesses for their generous contributions:

• Alaska Airlines                                    $25,000
• Carnival Corporation                         $25,000
• Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings       $50,000
• Royal Caribbean Group                     $60,000

CBJ also gratefully recognizes the efforts of the Downtown Business Association to raise $10,000 from Franklin Street businesses and other local organizations.

These efforts coincide with a generous donation of $75,000 from Disney Cruise Line to the Southeast Alaska Food Bank—part of an ongoing relationship that has included both volunteer aid and financial support. SAFB supports 42 nonprofits throughout Juneau, Pelican, Gustavus, and Hoonah, as well as operating a weekly public pantry in Juneau.

All flood relief donations are accepted and administered through the Juneau Community Foundation‘s Mendenhall River Flood Relief Fund. To make a contribution, donate online or make checks payable to Juneau Community Foundation, 350 North Franklin Street, Suite 4, Juneau, Alaska 99801. For information about other methods of donation, please call (907) 523-5450 or email [email protected].