do we have to allow Juneau to stay the way it is? (Juneau and: sale, how much)

[Metlakatla]

Other towns that welcome tourists do not have to sell their downtown heart-and-souls for it. What happened to us? Did our city government CHANGE, somewhere along the way, or did we just let go of the leash?

Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway may have served themselves well had they taken an approach similar to the one Petersberg did.

[sailorjo]

30+ years ago I spent time in Juneau. Logging and fishing were still big and there were a couple of ships a week. Statework was also a factor in the economy.. Now you only have state workers and the ships. I remember locals complaining about the sound of float plane traffic doing business with logging camps and about the guys when they were in town having too much fun.
I then moved down to Ketchikan, worked in logging camps, on fish and tug boats. We had a few ships a week.
And the locals complained about float planes and the rowdy loggers and fisherman.
I now work on offshore research vessels and when in town bartend a bit. Also on my time off travel. I enjoy visiting with our travelers, discussing where they live and where they have been.
Go out for lunch with a glass of wine, enjoy our visitors, they are fun and paying the bills.
Nan

[tigerfan3]

Juneau??

Where is that, in Washington?

[Marty Van Diest]

Having never been to Juneau...even though I have lived in Alaska more than 50 years...I don't have an answer except that I think Juneau should get rid of all the state government buildings that they have in town.

[akck]

Originally Posted by Marty Van Diest

Having never been to Juneau...even though I have lived in Alaska more than 50 years...I don't have an answer except that I think Juneau should get rid of all the state government buildings that they have in town.

What? And have people working out in the rain and snow?

[akck]

Tourism plays a major part in the survival of Juneau. Yes there are shops that open only during the tourist season, but the others that are open year-round wouldn't survive without that income. Instead of the community you think you'd like to have there would be a dead downtown area. What you have to do is find a happy medium. Don't like the crowds downtown? Go when there are only 1 or 2 ships in. Spend your time elsewhere when 4-5 ships are in. Just learn to live around it.

[DannyL]

Originally Posted by Metlakatla

Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway may have served themselves well had they taken an approach similar to the one Petersberg did.

Totally agree......

[stiffnecked]

Originally Posted by Metlakatla

Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway may have served themselves well had they taken an approach similar to the one Petersberg did.

I remember Ketchikan before the invasion. But now they need to deal with it and make the best of it. They actually have some neat tour stuff. Just wish they'd run some of the jewlery stores out and give more locals a chance at sellin' trinkets.

[bmw335xi]

Originally Posted by Alice2

There are those who say, loudly, if you don't like where you are just get out. What do others think, who live here, who love it here, hate it here, have been here? I was inspired to post this after finding and reading this little blog from visitors this morning.
Juneau, Alaska Travel Website: Don And Cindy's Alaska Adventure by Cindya on July 04, 2010 — Everlater
"On to our first look at Juneau...5 cruise ships are in and the place is thick with tourists...yikes! This downtown area is set up all for the cruise ship folks. Crazy."

Why do we just put up with the town being totally taken over by the tourist industry and shrug our shoulders and say there's nothing there for us, we just won't go there?

Other towns that welcome tourists do not have to sell their downtown heart-and-souls for it. What happened to us? Did our city government CHANGE, somewhere along the way, or did we just let go of the leash?

I hope to check back and see some thoughts on this topic.

Try removing all the tourists from Juneau and you'll see 50% unemployment lol. Why are some people so close-minded and greedy?

[blueflames50]

Originally Posted by stiffnecked

I remember Ketchikan before the invasion. But now they need to deal with it and make the best of it. They actually have some neat tour stuff. Just wish they'd run some of the jewlery stores out and give more locals a chance at sellin' trinkets.

seems if the town governing committees (not just in Juneau) wanted they could put in place regulations as to how many "tourist" (by tourist I mean "ship" owned) owned business and "local/native" owned business ratio standards so that the local/native population could benefit more.