The Alaska Court System is exploring options for a space that could house Skagway’s court offices. The court may be moving from its current location next to the borough assembly chambers.
Skagway Court Clerk Jan Tronrud said the court has been run out of the McCabe Building since it was renovated in 2000.
“There’s a small reception room, a small storage area, then there is a hearing room, which also doubles as a jury deliberation room,” Tronrud said. “When there is a case held, the court uses the assembly chambers.”
In August, Borough Manager Brad Ryan requested that the Alaska Court System not renew its lease of municipal office space. In a report to the assembly Ryan explained that he needed more office space to accommodate new accounting staff and a potential Port Director.
Earlier this month, the Alaska Court System requested information from the public about the availability of spaces in Skagway that could be used for court functions. Tronrud said they aren’t necessarily looking for a traditional courthouse.
“Skagway has a lot of retail space out there and a lot of commercial space out there. If someone has something out there that might not be what we would customarily think of, we wanted to open that as an option,” Tronrud said.
Hardly any court cases in Skagway end with a trial, Tronrud says only one has gone to trial in the last nine years. Most hearings are held telephonically, with the magistrate calling in from Yakutat. Tronrud said the court needs a reception area and counter space to handle document requests and an additional office space to hold court hearings.
The court system is asking those who are interested in leasing a space to get in touch before December 10th. For more information see the notice from the Alaska Court System.
