Preserving, Restoring, and Revitalizing Juneau's Downtown

For the past six years, a commission of Juneau, Alaska, residents has examined every aspect of downtown and created Blueprint Downtown to lay the foundation for what comes in the next 20 years.

1 minute read

May 1, 2024, 9:00 AM PDT

By urbanguy


Aerial view of Juneau, Alaska town and waterfront from aerial tram.

Juneau, Alaska. | illuminaphotographic / Adobe Stock

A commission comprised of Juneau residents has completed Blueprint Downtown, a long-range planning document that addresses housing, economic development, and tourism management issues.  The plan is expected to be reviewed by the local governing body, the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly, in the near future.  

According to an article by Clarise Larson, a reporter with KTOO, "The plan addresses priorities like housing growth, year-round business vitality and tourism management. It recommends things like revising zoning regulations, increasing public safety measures and completing the Seawalk along the downtown waterfront."  

City and Borough of Juneau planning staff note that a major goal of the Blueprint Downtown Area Plan (Blueprint Downtown) is to provide strategic direction for development and growth, while embracing livability and a sense of place, as well as maintaining quality of life for residents. The plan provides a framework to guide the City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) Assembly, city departments, the Planning Commission, and CBJ boards and commissions in making informed decisions. The plan also provides a framework to guide individuals, private companies, and other stakeholders when making investment and development decisions, and when questions affecting community development arise. 

Tuesday, April 30, 2024 in Alaska Public Media

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

Lake Powell with much of the water evaporated.

Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River

Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.

October 30, 2026 - Yale Environment 360

Governor Gavin Newsom speaking at a Gun Safety Legislation Press Conference.

California’s ‘unrecognizable’ water plan may go down the drain

After four years of regulatory processes, water agencies say the plan to overhaul how cities and farms take water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta has changed dramatically.

30 minutes ago - Cal Matters

The Chicago Avenue Bridge when it was open, a dark red bridge in front of downtown.

Chicago Avenue bridge construction delays enrages city leaders

The bridge has been closed since 2025. The city originally aimed to re-open it in December, and now expects to finish construction in 2027.

November 1 - Block Club Chicago

People walk to a bus in Queens

NYC bus network redesign speeds up Queens buses

Rush routes have seen a 4.6% speed increase after the redesign.

November 1 - Mass Transit