Juneau tourism task force prices most of its 41 recommendations ahead of Nov. 5 testimony

Juneau's Visitor Industry Task Force 2.0 meets Thursday, Oct. 22, for what its agenda calls "pre-finalization" of 41 tourism recommendations, most now carrying a cost estimate. Mayor Beth Weldon established the task force in December 2025 to revisit recommendations from Juneau's 2020 Visitor Industry Task Force, which made 45.

The largest item in the Oct. 16 recommendations tracker is $15 million to $30 million to extend the Seawalk from the AJ dock through the Wharf to Aak'w Landing. The tracker notes its costs are estimates that still need to be validated.

It also prices a city whale-watching license at $105,000 to $290,000. The license would come with limited entry, an operator moratorium, a license cap and future tapering. The task force was set to review those draft rules at an Oct. 10 work session, Alaska News reported Sept. 30. Staff cite a NOAA estimate of about 75 whale-watch boats in Juneau.

Other price tags include a helicopter noise study at $125,000 to $300,000 and downtown crossing guards at $300,000 to $500,000 a year.

Fees are off the task force's table. Visitor Industry Director Alexandra Pierce told members Oct. 15 that the fee discussion will move to the Assembly, at the direction of Chair Ella Adkison and Weldon.

An Oct. 16 draft would broaden a loan program funded by $1 million in Marine Passenger Fees, which the Assembly set aside in the fiscal 2025 budget for tour operators. Under the draft, any for-profit or nonprofit business operating in Juneau could borrow for equipment that measurably cuts emissions or noise. Its terms are still placeholders: loans of $5,000 to $500,000 covering up to 80% of a project's cost, at 2% to 4% interest for up to seven years. Pierce's memo said staff could not settle how to show each loan meets passenger fee spending rules.

The task force's second public testimony session had been listed for Oct. 15. The city announced in September that it would be held Nov. 5. It starts at 5:30 pm at the Mendenhall Valley Library. The city plans to post the draft recommendations after Thursday's meeting and is asking for written comments before Nov. 12, when the recommendations are to be finalized. They go to the Assembly after a Dec. 17 meeting.