Ketchikan postpones cruise-dock expansion for one year

The Ketchikan City Council voted 7-0 Wednesday to postpone a $290,000 design contract for expanding Berth 1 to accommodate larger cruise ships. The project is shelved for at least one year.

The decision came after council members said the city has reached a saturation point with cruise traffic and questioned whether the industry should help pay for infrastructure it needs.

Council Member Riley Gass said residents are frustrated with cruise volumes. "People are at their wits end with it and they're saying we have to do something," Gass said. He argued the city could accommodate three major ships without further expansion at Berth 1. "Really, if you boil it all down, what are we trying to do? We're just trying to make it so we can put four of these ginormous ships in and we're going to have 20,000 people a day," Gass said.

Council Member Jay Matani said he would not support the project without industry participation. "I also think our cruise line partners, if they are going to bring in bigger ships, should pony up," Matani said.

Council Member Abby Bradbury said she opposed the project in the current climate and wanted to focus on maintenance. "I'm more focused on shoring up docks one and two," Bradbury said. She added that those docks "haven't had a lot of maintenance underground, like proper maintenance to shore it up in a long time."

Port Director Steve Phillips told the council the expansion is needed because the cruise industry is moving to bigger ships and smaller vessels are being phased out. The design would extend the dolphin further out and add a floating dock along part of the pier face. Phillips said the initial 30% design and estimate would cost $87,000.

The mayor asked whether the city had explored partnerships with cruise lines to help fund the expansion. Phillips said he had considered reaching out to cruise lines once a design was complete, potentially offering first berthing rights in exchange for financial participation.

Council Member Dick proposed an amendment to postpone the project for one year. The council approved it unanimously.

Phillips is currently working with PND Engineers on maintenance plans and specifications for existing docks. He said the goal is to complete that work in the fall and get it out for bid so local firms can start repairs, including cathodic protection and coatings, through late fall and early spring.