What will the Assembly actually try to build on Telephone Hill?

Telephone Hill in an architect’s rendering under a development plan advanced by the Juneau Assembly on Monday, June 9, 2025. (Illustration by First Forty Feet / City and Borough of Juneau)

The CBJ Assembly has appropriated $9 million for the redevelopment of Telephone Hill. Its stated goal for the redevelopment is to provide Juneau with more affordable housing. However, the Assembly will not use the money to add more affordable housing to that which already exists on the Hill. It plans on using it to demolish the whole historic neighborhood and bid the property out to developers, with one to be chosen by the Assembly — without any input from the community. What guarantee do we have that we will really get affordable housing? If so, in what form? Will the Assembly accept the building of a hotel — which would displace current and prospective full-time residents in favor of tourists and seasonal workers — or will it hold out for resident, affordable housing?

These are questions that all concerned citizens of Juneau should be asking. I urge you to contact the mayor, city manager, and Assembly by email at boroughassembly@juneau.gov or individual members listed on the City and Borough of Juneau website.

Joseph Karson

Juneau