There’s widespread support for existing Lutak Dock services, and a need for more information and public conversation before any attempt to expand services, Haines Borough officials said after last week’s Lutak Dock town hall meeting.
The meeting involved presentations from potential dock users and investors, including the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, and several hours of public testimony.
“My take-away from the town hall was that there’s a lot of public support for rehabilitating the dock for existing freight purposes, but if anything above that is going to be done, we need more specifics, more cost estimates and a much greater public conversation,” Mayor Douglas Olerud said in an interview Tuesday.
Public comment at the June 24 meeting about future uses of Lutak Dock resembled that of other Lutak Dock-related meetings held in recent months, with those in favor of expanded dock uses, like an ore terminal, describing potential economic opportunities that will come to Haines if it becomes a regional shipping hub.
“We have a whole continent with very few docks. Surely, having a large dock would be a great benefit to Haines. I believe we should go in and build the biggest, best dock possible, right now and not in stages,” resident John Carlson testified.
Others questioned the economics of the project and the need for additional services when the newly constructed Alaska Marine Lines freight ramp adequately serves the community.
“The borough incurred quite a bit of debt with the cruise ship dock… before the borough goes into further debt with the Lutak Dock… there needs to be a community vote on how this is to move forward,” resident Thom Ely said, characterizing dock improvements for the purpose of attracting industry to Haines as “corporate welfare.”
Many who spoke in opposition to expanded uses said they do want to ensure the dock continues to function.
“I’d like be supportive of improvements that support our stable, secure and safe transportation infrastructure,” Burl Sheldon said, contrasting this with efforts to expand dock functions.
The Lutak Dock face has reached the end of its service life and officially closed last year after Alaska Marine Lines completed construction of a new freight ramp, ensuring Haines’ supply chain remains intact, for now. The June 24 town hall meeting was the second in a two-part series to discuss a new, phased 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 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.
There are no additional Lutak Dock town hall meetings scheduled, Olerud said, adding that he expects more will be added to the schedule as additional information becomes available.
For now, the next step the borough will take is applying for funding for the first two phases of dock renovations, which harbormaster Shawn Bell has described as necessary for the long-term continuation of current dock functions. Phase one will cost an estimated $2 million; phase two, $22 million.