When the Sitka Assembly meets tonight (9-22-26), it will consider putting a $4.5 million state grant towards Lincoln Street upgrades. The money comes from $37.5 million in unspent cruise ship passenger tax funds.
In July, the State of Alaska notified the city that they’d received the large grant to go towards local port infrastructure, public services, and community projects affected by cruise tourism, but the city had to apply to secure the funds.
The assembly chose to put the money toward the Lincoln Street Project in late July. In a memo, Finance Director Brooke Volschenk said because the grant’s use is restricted, the funds will be applied to the pedestrian facility elements of the project, like widened sidewalks, Seawalk connectivity, lighting, and drainage, rather than to the project as a whole. The state approved the project scope, and the grant was awarded in mid-August.
Volschenk estimates the Lincoln Street project will cost more than $16 million, in total.
In other business, the assembly is will consider zoning changes to incentivize building Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), and discuss next steps for municipal administrator finalist Gerrie Cotter.
The Sitka Assembly meets at 6 p.m. tonight at Harrigan Centennial Hall. Raven News will broadcast the meeting live, following Alaska News Nightly.
