Alaska News

Juneau nonprofit acquiring house for Capitol expansion

A nonprofit is buying a historic house in downtown Juneau that is expected to someday be part of the state Capitol complex and, Juneau boosters hope, another reason to not move the Alaska capital to the Railbelt.

The house, located at 524 Main St. in Juneau, is across the street from the Capitol parking garage. It caught the eye of the Juneau Community Foundation, which manages a pool of money aimed at expanding and improving the Capitol.

"We just figure that given the proximity to the Capitol, it's a good idea to acquire it for potential use by the (state) someday," said Jim Clarke, the chair of the advisory group that manages the fund.

Clarke and Amy Skilbred, executive director of the Juneau Community Foundation, said there are no plans yet for how the property would be used. Skilbred said the focus right now is on completing the transaction.

"We'll be exploring potential uses for it in the future," Skilbred said.

The acquisition money comes from the Juneau Capitol Fund, a portion of a $40 million donation in 2014 by Bill Corbus, former owner and president of Alaska Electric Light and Power, and his wife Katie. The fund can be used to purchase property, but is also aimed at general enhancements, Skilbred said. Corbus, a philanthropist, has long been a key player in the fight to keep Juneau as the state capital.

Last year, funds were given to KTOO Public Media to upgrade the "Gavel to Gavel" coverage of the Alaska Legislature, Skilbred said.

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The Main Street house has pale yellow paint, green trim and an extended driveway. It comprises two units: an older section built in the late 1800s, and a more recent addition.

In the past, Juneau's government, as opposed to a private foundation, has purchased and donated properties to the state to aid in the capital expansion effort. One example is the former Juneau Scottish Rite Temple, adjacent to the Capitol, which became the Thomas B. Stewart Legislative Office building in 2010.

Devin Kelly

Devin Kelly was an ADN staff reporter.

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