The City and Borough of Juneau and the Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska are working together this month to clean up several adjoining properties in downtown Juneau. That follows public outcry this summer about escalating health and safety concerns in the area.
The area is located behind Willoughby and Capital Avenues, which includes the historic Aak’w Village District downtown. The properties are mostly privately owned, but also include some city and tribal properties.
In recent months, residents have shared concerns about a growing amount of junk vehicles, unsecured trash and other health concerns at the sites. Several residents started a petition and testified at Assembly meetings earlier this summer, asking the city to take action.
Juneau’s City Manager Katie Koester told KTOO the cleanup is a joint effort between the city, tribe and several property owners in the area.
“I know we’re both committed to continuing to work on long-term solutions for keeping that really important part of our community a safe and welcoming place,” she said.
Koester said the main goal is to ensure the area is safe for residents and free of wildlife attractants. In July, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game euthanized a yearling black bear after a Juneau resident illegally shot and wounded it while it was rummaging through trash in the area.
According to Koester, the cleanup began last week and is still ongoing. She says the property owners will foot the bill.
“We have a process under code where that’s like a deferred payment to help cover those costs, so that the taxpayers aren’t responsible for those costs,” she said. “The property owner has been collaborative in that.”
In a statement emailed to KTOO, Tlingit and Haida President Chalyee Éesh Richard Peterson said the effort is about more than cleanup.
“It is about stewardship, partnership, and creating a healthier, safer, and more welcoming community. We see this as an important step toward a longer-term vision for the area — one that respects its history, strengthens our community, and ensures this important place is cared for well into the future,” he wrote.
Peterson wrote that it also involves connecting people with resources and support and must honor the history of the Aak’w Village District while “caring for the people and community who are here today.”
