Alaska Companies Move Forward with Controversial Cruise Ship Dock Project on Douglas Island

In a notable development, a construction company has submitted a permit application to the State of Alaska for an ambitious project off the coast of Douglas Island. This project, which entails the design of a new cruise ship facility, is being developed in partnership with Goldbelt Incorporated, a local Alaska Native corporation. The proposed facility aims to construct two cruise ship docks, a small boat harbor, and a boat launch area, a venture that holds significant implications for tourism and local ecology. The project comes on the heels of a previous partnership announcement between Goldbelt and the Royal Caribbean Group, which stirred community concerns regarding the lack of transparency and communication surrounding the initiative. Public interest in the project spiked after a representative from Royal Caribbean dodged questions during a recent Juneau Assembly meeting, where city officials expressed frustration over being kept in the dark about the operational details and timeline. The Mayor of Juneau, Beth Weldon, highlighted that land clearing activities observed on Goldbelt's property have raised alarms among residents, provoking concerns about potential environmental impacts and the fate of local trails historically used for recreation. Notably, this conversation about dock developments unfolds against the backdrop of a city planning a fifth dock in downtown Juneau for Huna Totem Corp., which raises the stakes for Goldbelt and Royal Caribbean’s proposed dock, potentially complicating cruise ship limits previously agreed upon with the city. As the city authorities grapple with these developments, the Juneau Assembly has been criticized for its inability to impose stricter communication requirements on developers to ensure community engagement and transparency. Goldbelt’s plans include not only the cruise ship and passenger accommodations but also provisions for employee housing, floatplane docks, and the recreation of a Lingít village, which suggests a comprehensive approach to tourism infrastructure. However, skepticism remains high regarding the project's environmental ramifications and the adequacy of public consultation. The permit application currently remains open for public comment until May 7, presenting an opportunity for residents to voice their opinions on this pivotal project. With many Juneau citizens advocating for sustainable growth that considers community needs alongside economic ambitions, these discussions are likely to shape both local policy and the future of tourism along the Alaskan coastline.