Ketchikan Gateway Borough

Call Directions Website

Ketchikan Gateway Borough The Ketchikan Gateway Borough will generally respond to questions and/or comments during regular hours of operation Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

The Ketchikan Gateway Borough welcomes you to its official page. The intended purpose of establishing this page is to share information from the Borough, about the Borough, to its citizens and visitors alike. Here you will find news regarding official Borough business as well as current events and information. The main internet presence and official news source for the Ketchikan Gateway Borough is the Borough's website at www.kgbak.us

A comment posted by the member of the public on this page is the opinion of the commentator or poster only, and publication of a comment does not imply endorsement of, or agreement by, the Ketchikan Gateway Borough, nor do such comments necessarily reflect the opinions of the Ketchikan Gateway Borough. This page is considered a limited public forum and is not an open public forum for any and all communication. Accordingly, we ask that you abide by the following posting guidelines. Any messages that include any of the following will be deleted and/or restricted:
• Comments supporting or opposing political campaigns or ballot measures
• Profane, obscene, violent, or sexual content and/or language
• Content that promotes or perpetuates discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, age, religion, gender, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, national origin, physical or mental disability or sexual orientation
• Defamatory or personal attacks
• Threats to any person or organization
• Solicitations of commerce, including but not limited to advertising of businesses or products
• Conduct or encouragement of illegal activity
• Content that violates a legal ownership interest of any other party
• Information that may tend to compromise the safety or security of the public or public systems
• Comments on topics or issues not within the jurisdictional purview of the Borough may be removed

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE | October 15th Weather Event -Update 4Date: October 21, 2026Contacts: Amanda Dale, Public Informatio...
10/22/2026

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE | October 15th Weather Event -Update 4

Date: October 21, 2026

Contacts: Amanda Dale, Public Information Officer, 907-228-2340
Kim Simpson, Public Information Officer, 907-228-5458

For Immediate Release:

The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will transition to an advisory level following today’s operations.

Ketchikan Public Utilities (KPU) plans to place its mobile substation into temporary service at the API Ward Cove property and have it energized by Monday October 26, 2026. This substation will be able to power the customers ordinarily covered by the damaged Ward Cove substation.

City of Ketchikan employees have been moving supplies and equipment out of the Harbormaster maintenance building in preparation for demolition, which is scheduled to begin tomorrow, October 22, 2026.

The maintenance building, located south of Harbormaster office building, was already planned for demolition. However, damage to the storm drain caused by the October 15 Weather Event has expedited the timeline by approximately one month. Because the building sits directly above the storm drain, it must be removed to allow for the drain’s replacement.

A new maintenance building is scheduled to be constructed by spring 2027.

Additional updates will be shared through press releases as information becomes available.

Mayor Austin Otos has proclaimed October 23–31, 2026, as Red Ribbon Week. Red Ribbon Week is the nation’s longest-runnin...
10/22/2026

Mayor Austin Otos has proclaimed October 23–31, 2026, as Red Ribbon Week.

Red Ribbon Week is the nation’s longest-running drug prevention campaign, bringing communities together to raise awareness about substance abuse and encourage healthy, drug-free lifestyles.

Audrey Mettler, Ellia Guthrie, and Seth Bowers from Ketchikan Youth for Change accepted the proclamation.

Residents are encouraged to participate in prevention activities and wear or display red ribbons as a symbol of their commitment to a healthier, drug-free community.

10/21/2026

Planned outage in the area of Hopkin's Alley, Young Street Bauer Way and 718 Water to 904 Water on Friday October 23, 2026 from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm in order to replace damaged power pole. Time was selected to coincide with the low tide.

Join us in congratulating re-elected Assembly members Sharli Arntzen, Kathy Bolling, and Dan Ortiz! We are excited for t...
10/21/2026

Join us in congratulating re-elected Assembly members Sharli Arntzen, Kathy Bolling, and Dan Ortiz! We are excited for their continued contributions to the community.

Thank you to all of the candidates who ran for office!

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE | October 15th Weather Event -Update 3Date: October 20, 2026Contacts: Amanda Dale, Public Informatio...
10/21/2026

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE | October 15th Weather Event -Update 3

Date: October 20, 2026

Contacts: Amanda Dale, Public Information Officer, 907-228-2340
Kim Simpson, Public Information Officer, 907-228-5458

For Immediate Release:

Ketchikan Public Utilities (KPU) plans to deploy a mobile substation in Ward Cove, with energization anticipated early next week. The mobile substation will help support power service while the Ward Cove Substation remains out of commission. Coordination with contractors is ongoing to develop stabilization and mitigation plans for the Ward Cove Substation slide area.

At the Harbormaster site, a replacement storm drainpipe has been ordered and is expected to arrive in approximately two to three weeks. In the meantime, a relief hole has been cut into the existing storm drain and storm water will be directed down the northside of the boat launch and into the ocean. The north end side of the boat launch will be closed but the south side of it will remain open. The driveway to the public parking lot is restricted to one vehicle at a time. Please exercise caution and avoid the area if possible.

Additional updates will be shared through press releases as information becomes available.

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE | October 15th Weather Event -Update 2Date: October 19 2026Contacts: Amanda Dale, Public Information...
10/20/2026

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE | October 15th Weather Event -Update 2

Date: October 19 2026

Contacts: Amanda Dale, Public Information Officer, 907-228-2340
Kim Simpson, Public Information Officer, 907-228-5458

For Immediate Release:

On Monday, October 19, 2026, City of Ketchikan Mayor Bob Sivertsen and Ketchikan Gateway Borough Mayor Austin Otos, signed a revised joint declaration of emergency to include the storm drain damage at the Harbormaster Maintenance Building.

Alaska State geologists toured the Ward Cove Electric Substation slide site to assess slope stability and collect information that will be used for stabilization and mitigation plans for the area. The public is asked to not attempt access to the slide area, as it is still unstable.

Excavation efforts have begun on the damaged drainpipe site at the Harbormaster lot. Barriers have been placed for public safety around the site. This trench and the area around the trench are not stable and individuals should avoid the fenced in area. Conditions near the original collapse at the water’s edge remain unstable. Please exercise caution and avoid the area.

Additional updates will be shared through press releases as information becomes available.

Image of stormdrain excavation and safety fencing at Harbormaster lot courtesy of City of Ketchikan

# # #

Joint Media Release | October 15th Weather Event Activates EOC
10/19/2026

Joint Media Release | October 15th Weather Event Activates EOC

The Mayors of the Ketchikan Gateway Borough and the City of Ketchikan have signed a joint declaration of disaster follow...
10/17/2026

The Mayors of the Ketchikan Gateway Borough and the City of Ketchikan have signed a joint declaration of disaster following the damage done the Ketchikan Public Utilities (KPU) Ward Cove Electrical Substation on October 15, 2026, due to a landslide. There were no reports of injuries, casualties, or harm to personnel or citizens.

This declaration allows for coordinated efforts of the Ketchikan Gateway Borough and the City of Ketchikan, along with state and federal resources, to protect life, property, and critical infrastructure.

The City Council will meet Monday October 19, to ratify the declaration followed by the Borough Assembly meeting Tuesday, October 20, to ratify the declaration.

Updated Upcoming Borough Meetings! Stay informed about upcoming Borough meetings!Meeting packets are available online at...
10/17/2026

Updated Upcoming Borough Meetings!

Stay informed about upcoming Borough meetings!

Meeting packets are available online at: https://ow.ly/eq5B50YGLAc

You can watch meetings live on the Borough website: https://ow.ly/uaCU50YGLAb or on the KPUtv+ app.

Questions?: Contact (907) 228-6605 or email [email protected] Stay informed about upcoming Borough meetings

10/16/2026

KPD and KFD have closed Third Avenue Bypass from Washington to Copper Ridge due to the presence of muddy water flowing into the roadway. The bypass will remain closed until further notice. Please use alternate routes.

Address

1900 First Avenue
Ketchikan, AK
99901

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+19072286625

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Ketchikan Gateway Borough posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category