Juneau building to be converted into housing for Alaska lawmakers

A legislative committee approved a plan on Wednesday to convert a building donated last year to the Legislature into housing for lawmakers and Capitol staff in an effort to solve a longstanding housing shortage in Juneau.

The Legislative Council approved the $5.5 million conversion plan in a 9-5 vote despite concern raised by some lawmakers over a lack of detailed analysis of the long-term costs of operating and maintaining the rental units, on top of the prospect of potentially allowing more than 30 lawmakers to share a dorm-like building with communal laundry facilities.

“We’re all sort of clustered here in the building, and if you’re like me, you want to get away. I don’t want to be walking down the hallway and seeing everybody you just spent the entire day with,” said Rep. Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, who voted against the plan.

The building in question is the Assembly Building, a 24,000 square-foot three-floor space and underground parking garage adjacent to the Capitol complex in Juneau. It was constructed in 1932 as an apartment building but is currently used for non-governmental offices. Assessed at around $1.5 million, it was donated to the Legislature in August by the Juneau Community Foundation through its Juneau Capitol Fund. The tenants occupying the building are expected to end their leases by November.

The building could be converted into 33 housing units, with 11 units on each floor, at a cost of $5.5 million, according to an analysis by architectural firm Jensen Yorba Wall Inc. The apartments, a mix of one-bedroom and efficiency units, would range in size from around 470 to 730 square feet.

The plan was solicited by a subcommittee convened last year by the Legislative Council to determine the best use for the building. The council, which includes members of the state House and Senate, controls the operations of the Capitol complex. The subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Sara Hannan, D-Juneau, chose housing as the preferred use for the building, outweighing legislative office space, which was also under consideration.

But several lawmakers voiced concern during a Legislative Council meeting Wednesday over unanswered questions, including how the rental units will be assigned to tenants if demand eclipses supply, how rent will be collected, whether the units will be used when the Legislature is not in session, and whether the new units would have a measurable impact on privately owned housing available near the Capitol.

“I do think we’re putting the cart before the horse,” said Senate President Peter Micciche, R-Soldotna.

“If this were a state agency, we would certainly ask for a business plan and an economic analysis of what this is going to cost us operationally,” said Edgmon.

A motion to table the proposal until further analysis could be conducted failed in a 8-6 vote, as some lawmakers said there is no time to waste in solving a shortage in available housing for lawmakers that has put some in difficult positions.

Micciche’s opposition to the proposal came despite five weeks of couch surfing as he struggled to find permanent housing during the current legislative session. Rep. Chris Tuck, D-Anchorage, said he couldn’t find housing during a special session held in 2016, and was forced to move from one hotel room to the next. Some lawmakers live as housemates in a rented home. Others stay in local hotels. Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka, lives aboard his boat.

“The private sector has had 60 years to try to sort this housing out, and they just haven’t done it,” said Sen. Lora Reinbold, R-Eagle River, who voted in favor of the measure.

The Legislative Affairs agency keeps track of housing available in Juneau during legislative sessions. The agency’s executive director Jessica Geary says she has seen a drop in offerings. And during special sessions that take place in the summer months coinciding with Juneau’s tourism season — stretching from April to October — it can be “impossible” for lawmakers to find housing, she said.

Three years ago, legislators approved a housing stipend for some staff to address steep housing costs, and legislators themselves receive $307 per Juneau day for housing and food. An attempt to cut the legislative stipend failed earlier this year, largely due to housing prices.

While no detailed analysis of the operational costs had been conducted, Geary said the agency’s goal is to operate the apartments efficiently to minimize costs to the Legislature.

“It should be relatively inexpensive to operate,” she said. “It should be pretty close to a wash, all things considered.”

Voting in favor of the plan were Rep. Matt Claman, D-Anchorage; Rep. Sara Hannan, D-Juneau; Rep. Chris Tuck, D-Anchorage; Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka; Rep. Neal Foster, D-Nome; Sen. Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak; Sen. Lora Reinbold, R-Eagle River; Rep. Louise Stutes, R-Kodiak; and Sen. Click Bishop R-Fairbanks.

Voting against the measure were Rep. Bryce Edgmon, I-Dilllingham; Sen. Petter Micciche, R-Soldotna; Sen. Mike Shower, R-Wasilla; Rep. Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla; and Sen. Shelley Hughes, R-Palmer.

Now that the initial plan is approved, Legislative Affairs will seek bids for the necessary construction and conversion work. Bids will require further approval by the Legislative Council, giving lawmakers additional opportunities to weigh in on the project.

Reporter James Brooks contributed from Juneau.

[Previous coverage: Juneau ‘cribs’: Here’s how lobbyists, legislators and aides live in one of the nation’s smallest capitals]