Huna Totem Corp., an Alaska Native village corporation, accepted a gift of 2.9 acres of undeveloped waterfront property in Juneau from Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. The village corporation is actively engaging with other Alaska Native corporations and community stakeholders and has formed Huna Totem Development Group to lead efforts in developing a new pier and related infrastructure. This group, including Goldbelt Inc., the Alaska Native urban corporation representing Juneau, expects to submit plans for a year-round facility by the end of the year.
“Huna Totem views this as a win-win for our Alaska Native shareholders and the Juneau community,” said Russell Dick, CEO of Huna Totem Corp. “As the developer and operator of the world-class cruise port of Icy Strait Point and a Southeast-based company, we bring expertise and a local commitment to our shareholders and our neighbors. Through our design and community partnerships, the waterfront complex will reflect the historic and cultural values of the Alaska Native people.”
Just 35 miles west of Juneau, Huna Totem’s Icy Strait Point port model is recognized as an award-winning global leader for its Indigenous and environmental responsibility. Its success is attributed to incorporating community stakeholders and the corporation is committed to implementing the same model while developing the waterfront parcel in Juneau.
Norwegian and Huna Totem have a longstanding commitment to growth in Alaska. Norwegian began calling on Huna Totem’s privately-owned and operated port of Icy Strait Point in 2013. In 2018, Huna Totem partnered with Norwegian, adding the Wilderness Landing port facility at Icy Strait Point. Earlier this year, Norwegian also committed to Huna Totem’s double berth turn-port in Whittier, Alaska, the gateway to Alaska’s interior.
“Ensuring this Juneau project is fully integrated into the community is incredibly important to us, and as we began planning its development, it became abundantly clear that Huna Totem, owned entirely by Alaska Natives, was the right stakeholder to lead this effort,” said Dan Farkas, executive vice president and general counsel for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings who oversees corporate construction. “Alaska is an incredibly popular, fast-growing destination, and this partnership will provide the dual benefit of driving positive, sustainable economic impact to the region while also ensuring that the development of the land is done in a way that is respectful and representative of the rich history and culture of this community.”
Huna Totem is working with Goldbelt, Inc. to assist with the development and operations of the waterfront property. Together, the Alaska Native corporations share extensive knowledge in tourism and support a high percentage of their Alaska Native shareholder constituents living in Juneau.
“This is an astonishing gift for Juneau and our Goldbelt shareholders,” said Goldbelt President and CEO McHugh Pierre. “Giving ownership back to the Tlingit people is a tremendous way to honor the culture of this community. We look forward to partnering with Huna Totem to share the values and ancestral history of this land.”
In addition to Goldbelt and Huna Totem, the all-Alaska-based development group includes Jensen Yorba Wall Architects and Alaska Commercial Contractors from Juneau and Turnagain Marine, an Anchorage-based pier developer.
In alignment with Juneau’s 2021 waterfront plan, the development group is ready to submit a site plan to begin the permitting process with the city. Huna Totem and Goldbelt will host a series of public meetings to share their vision and design for the property.
“We look forward to working with local tribal corporations on this significant development for the Juneau community,” said Alexandra Pierce, tourism manager for the City and Borough of Juneau. “CBJ’s permitting process remains the same regardless of ownership and the next step is for Huna Totem to submit a Conditional Use Permit application to be reviewed by the Planning Commission. That process will provide an opportunity for public comment. The community will also have the opportunity to provide public testimony to the Assembly during the tidelands lease process.”