The City of Juneau is defending its use of cruise ship passenger fees, saying the funds have been used responsibly to enhance tourists visit to Alaska’s capital city.
The lawsuit by the Cruise Lines International Association alleges that significant portions of entry fees from passengers were used for activities and projects unrelated to the benefit of passengers and vessels.
City Manager Rorie Watt says much of the entry fees funds have been put toward Juneau’s Waterfront Plan that was approved in 2004, which included plans for increased tourism.
City Manager Watt: “The waterfront plan called for two main features, the cruise ship dock, its under construction today. And so I think the cruise ship dock is a long term investment for the community and the other main project for the waterfront plan is a waterfront sea walk, so we’re doing exactly what we said we would do in 2004 we’re just 12 years later and we’re making the process we said we would.”
Some of the items listed as not related to the tourism include a man-made recreational island the city built and a whale structure that’s is nearly a mile away from the cruise ship docks.
Watt says the statue is within walking distance of the Alaska State Museum in Juneau, a popular tourist attraction.
Originally the case named former City Manager Kimberly Kiefer as the defendant but Watt took over after her retirement.
