"Orion Hanson"

The Skagway Assembly passed a resolution that establishes an electric ferry pilot program.

A cap would limit the number of passengers that could visit on a daily basis, which supporters say would preserve the natural experience of visiting remote Alaska. 

The conversation about the future of Skagway’s waterfront is taking a new turn. The city is exploring an economic partnership with a cruise company and suspending negotiations with White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad.

The Skagway Assembly met for the second time this week to review a document that could provide a way forward on port improvements. The group made some notable edits to a memorandum of understanding with White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad.

Some Skagway leaders are growing frustrated with what they see as an unproductive back-and-forth with White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad. What started as a hopeful process aimed at a new tidelands lease has now turned into something close to a stalemate.

Skagway leaders are moving ahead with a new 15-year tidelands lease proposal and they’re hoping to get it to voters this October. The Assembly put some tough questions to the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad president at a public meeting Thursday.

The private company that controls more than half Skagway’s port wants a 20-year lease extension in order to make way for pressing waterfront improvements.

Two candidates have filed for two open seats on the Skagway Borough Assembly. And one more candidate has filed for the assembly race in Haines.