As freight ramp repairs continue, Haines Borough votes to support first phases of Lutak Dock redevelopment plan

The Lutak Dock redevelopment plan was at the center of Tuesday night’s Haines Borough Assembly meeting, with the public weighing in for and against the new phased approach. As KHNS’ Corinne Smith reports, last week, the roll-on, roll-off ramp leased by Alaska Marine Lines partially sank, and the incident has added to the intensity of the public debate.

Representatives of Alaska Marine Lines say they are still investigating why Haines’ roll-on, roll-off ramp partially sank last week at Lutak Dock. AML’s Adam Andersen told the Haines Borough Assembly Tuesday, that repairs to the ramp tank are ongoing.

“We’ve been meeting with our operations people and our maintenance people to fix a couple of holes that we have discovered as we’ve uprighted the tank, and going to be doing some welding.”

Andersen said they anticipate the work will continue into next week. He said the damage did not interfere with this week’s barge delivery but the company is coordinating with the Harbormaster to create a backup plan for freight delivery. 

“In the event we had an issue, I asked if we were able to use the pass-pass operation, adjacent to the new ramp that’s built,” said Andersen. “And to see if that’s a possibility.”

But the failure of the ramp has added to the intensity of the debate around the Lutak Dock phased redevelopment plan. There was agreement that the dock is in need of renovations, but how the estimated $30 million project is financed and how it will be used is up for debate. 

Members of the public weighed in at Tuesday night’s meeting:

Eric Holle: “We need more public comment from all the stakeholders, which includes all residents. And not just those who are promoting a particular economic agenda. Or fishing for what could be pie in the sky economic opportunity.” 

Diane Lapham: “Haines is strategically placed for freight transport to the interior. And we need to use that. We have it at the tips of our fingers. If we don’t all come together and start planning and start talking, with intent to progress, and not beach landings, this community will die. People will move away.”

Shannon Donahue: “Where is the process? How is the Assembly considering a resolution in support of the beginning of the beginning phases of a four phase alternative without seeing the plans or cost estimates for all the phases. How can we talk about phases 1 and 2 without talking about phases 3 and 4 ?” 

Jerry Ashcraft: “So I’m asking that you pass this resolution, because I’m also looking at starting  businesses here for the community. But if I can’t get my product out, or gotta worry about losing it or anything like that, why invest?”

Phase 1 of the Lutak Dock redevelopment plan involves filling in the tidelands adjacent to the existing ramp. Phase 2 involves demolishing the old dock and putting in a bulkhead. Both phases are estimated to cost $26 million. 

Many residents expressed concern over the Assembly voting on a resolution to support the redevelopment plan before several more scheduled Town Hall meetings, citing a lack of public input. So Assemblymember Caitlin Kirby introduced an amendment to support only finalizing the plan and demolishing the dock. 

The last two phases would develop the uplands above the dock for more space, but the details of improvements and uses are to be determined.

The Borough voted 5-1 on that amendment, with Assemblymember Carol Tuynman voting against. She said renovating the dock, or phase 2, should be funded and prioritized first.

The Assembly will also need to finance the project. Haines Borough is considering borrowing from the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (known as AIDEA), a state development arm that often finances mining and development projects. 

But  Haines resident Jessica Plachta spoke out against that idea. 

“This little borough might not want to get into debt with AIDEA for untold millions of dollars to develop an ore port, at 3.5% interest,” Sachta said. “A professional mines analyst in the Yukon tells me there are no mines in line for the proposed Haines ore port. A couple of possible mines are in early phases, but most mines never go into production. And the mines that are in production already have more convenient ports in Hyder and Skagway.”

The next Town Hall on the future of Lutak Dock is slated to be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday via Zoom. Details are on the Haines Borough calendar.