The Haines Borough Assembly gave the go-ahead to pursue funding for the first two phases of Lutak Dock renovations.
The Lutak Dock face has reached the end of its service life and officially closed last year after Alaska Marine Lines (AML) completed construction of a new freight ramp, ensuring Haines’ supply chain remains intact, for now. The phases are part of a new approach for dock renovations developed this winter after the borough ran into challenges securing funding for the old plan, which had a roughly $40 million price tag.
The new plan could involve as many as four phases, depending on the community’s vision for future dock use, according to borough officials. Phase one involves filling in tidelands adjacent to the existing dock, next to the new AML freight ramp; phase two, demolishing the old dock face and putting in a bulkhead; phase three, reclaiming additional uplands to increase usable space; and a potential phase four involving development of the hillside above the dock.
A resolution before the assembly Tuesday in support of the new, phased approach generated significant public discussion. Those in favor urged the assembly to approve the resolution to allow the borough to begin applying for grants to repair the crumbling piece of infrastructure.
“There is no discussion about an ore terminal. We’re talking about our livelihoods, our freight, our fuel,” said Diana Lapham during public testimony.
Although the freight ramp ensures the supply chain remains intact for now, in past interviews, harbormaster Shawn Bell said the dock face’s instability still needs to be addressed as its failure could jeopardize current use by AML and Delta Western.
Many who favor the new plan referenced last week’s AML freight ramp issue in which the facility sank, rendering it unusable for a short time.
“It’s key, we just saw this, to have redundancy, to a have a plan for what-if’s,” assembly member Gabe Thomas said.
Those opposed to the new Lutak Dock renovation plan asked that a decision be delayed until the public has had more time to weigh in.
“It’s very disturbing that the town hall is held a couple of days after you’re going to be talking about the resolution tonight,” Patty Kermoian said.
Others suggested the borough gather more information about potential uses before moving forward with a plan.
“The ‘build it and they will come’ approach to economic development rarely proves successful. I recommend that we build for a proven market, and therefore let’s hold off on this application for funding or this approval of the development plan,” Debra Schnabel said.
At Tuesday’s meeting, interim manager Alekka Fullerton said adoption of the resolution was time-sensitive since one of the grants the borough intends to apply for is due in early July.
In response to the public’s concern, the assembly amended the resolution to specify support for phases one and two, rather than all four phases.
“I support phases one and two, but I’m also not sure I know what’s happening with three and four. The way the resolution is worded, it doesn’t specify phases one and two,” assembly member Caitie Kirby said. She and several other assembly members said they were more comfortable with a resolution supporting the first two phases of dock development, which Bell has said are the two needed to mitigate dock face failure concerns.
The resolution passed 5-1 with assembly member Carol Tuynman the sole “no” vote. Tuynman said she supports repairing the dock, but she’s not convinced phases one and two are the way to do it.
A town hall meeting about future uses of the dock, including an ore terminal, is set for Thursday at 6:30 p.m. The Haines Chamber of Commerce is spearheading the event.