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RUSSELL STIGALL

Mixed-use construction bill nears final vote 

Only the governor’s signature lies ahead for a bill that would allow the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation to finance mixed commercial and residential developments statewide.

Rep. Mia Costello R-Anchorage introduced House Bill 50 during pre-files on Jan. 11. House Rules Committee referred the bill to House Labor and Commerce Committee and House Finance Committee. It passed the House on March 20 without objection.

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Airport parking rates increase $2 

Juneau International Airport commercial users and passenger could see fees increase for a wide array of leasing and services. Parking rates have already jumped $2.

The JIA Board voted Wednesday night to approve parking lot rate increases for short term, long term and long term day rates. The first hour is now $3 and the first two hours, $5. Day rates increased from $12 to $14. As always, the first 15 minutes are free.

“We were woefully low on the hourly rate on the short-term parking and somewhat low on long term,” Board Member Joe Heueisen said.

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Gadgets for Juneau's high speed broadband 

To any former users of AT&T’s WiMax wireless internet service the company’s new wireless broadband services are a major upgrade.

This article was precipitated by AT&T’s cancellation of its WiMax service in January. It is a first-person look at what comes next for wireless broadband internet in Juneau.

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Airport parking rates increase $2 

Juneau International Airport commercial users and passenger could see fees increase for a wide array of leasing and services. Parking rates have already jumped $2.

The JIA Board voted Wednesday night to approve parking lot rate increases for short term, long term and long term day rates. The first hour is now $3 and the first two hours, $5. Day rates increased from $12 to $14. As always, the first 15 minutes are free.

“We were woefully low on the hourly rate on the short-term parking and somewhat low on long term,” Board Member Joe Heueisen said.

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Public Works gold-stars second crossing, west Douglas road 

Development of Douglas Island’s north and west ends tops an Assembly committee's list of preferred Community Improvement Projects.

The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly Public Works and Facilities Committee tapped a long sought and fought project to build a second bridge to Douglas at its northern end, in addition to ongoing efforts to build a road and developments along the west side of the island.

Committee members held fast to their top picks at the committee’s regular meeting Monday.

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School lunch price to rise to $3.50 a tray 

Juneau students could have to pack an extra quarter for lunch money next year as the price for trays jumps to $3.50.

Juneau School District Director of Administrative Services David Means mentioned the price increase during a presentation to the JSD Board of Education Tuesday night. The district is working out a contract with NANA Management Services LLC to provide food services for Juneau’s schools.

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Developers vent woes to Assembly 

“Listen to the developers,” Richard Harris, president of Southeast Alaska Building Industry Association, wrote in a letter to the assembly. “Without the developer, nothing is constructed.”

So begins a one-page list of recommendations and observations the Southeast Alaska Building Industry Association presented to City and Borough of Juneau Assembly Members and staff at the Committee of the Whole meeting Monday.

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Downtown Juneau: Vacant or vital 

From deep in the valley of gemstone and T-shirt shops lining South Franklin Street to high on Seward Street’s sloping sidewalks — where the crest of summer visitors breaks under the gravity of Juneau’s steep streets — a noticeable number of store fronts lack tenants as the tourism season grows near.

Three dark windows are on the left side of Seward Street, going uphill. These spaces have housed several businesses recently including the bright, green space of the Plant People LLC and The Greasy Spoon Restaurant with its hand written window signs. The spaces are empty again.

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Changes coming to Egan Drive 

Tourist industry traffic may have to squeeze through downtown on a narrowed Egan Drive if Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities follows through with draft construction plans.

The Egan Drive Resurfacing 10th Street to Main Street project is a combination of two separate projects — the work from Whittier Street to Main Street is paid for by cruise ship tax money. The entire project is expected to extend pavement life, fix potholes and ruts and increase bike and pedestrian capabilities along Egan Drive.

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Task force talks Home Run, affordable housing fund 

The Affordable Housing Task Force was tasked by the city to find ways to promote the development of affordable housing in Juneau. Sounds easy enough. Yet Juneau’s housing market is tighter than the fence at an alligator farm and has been for some time. With few homes on the market, Juneau’s home prices and rental costs remain high.

What is the task force to do? Support housing development.

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