Juneau State Office Building
Elevator Update

May 6, 2024

• All elevator cars have been returned to service.

May 2, 2024

• Central Elevator Bank (Floors 5-11, 4-bank): Two of the four elevators are operational and will continue to be operational and will remain in service as work continues on the remaining elevators.
• Willoughby Elevator Bank (Floors 1-8, 3-bank):  All three elevators are currently operational.

April 29, 2024

As of April 29, 2024, elevator services have been restored at the Juneau State Office Building, and the temporary shuttle service will no longer be in operation. Additionally, all parking arrangements, including the temporary handicap parking on the back side of the building, will be restored to previous setups. Below is the latest elevator status update:

• Central Elevator Bank (Floors 5-11, 4-bank): Two of the four elevators are operational and will continue to be operational and will remain in service as work continues on the remaining elevators.
• Willoughby Elevator Bank (Floors 1-8, 3-bank): Two of the three elevators are currently operational, with the third anticipated to be operational soon.

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April 26, 2024

Thank you for your continued patience as we work on the elevators at the Juneau State Office Building while taking necessary safety measures for our state of Alaska employees, facilities staff and contractors. We appreciate your ongoing patience and apologize for the inconvenience. Below is the latest update.
 

Central Elevator Bank (Floors 5-11, 4 Bank), mechanical repairs have been completed, and on-site air sampling results allow the cleaning and inspection work to continue through the weekend. By Monday, April 29th, two elevators will be available for use, while work progresses on the remaining two elevators. We are committed to ensuring elevator availability throughout next week's activities, with the completion of all work anticipated by Friday, May 3rd.
 

Regarding the Willoughby Elevator Bank accessing Floors 1-8 (3 bank), repair work and cleaning will be completed on Saturday, April 27. Inspection and additional air sampling are scheduled for Sunday, April 28. The 3 bank elevators are expected to be operational as early as Monday, April 29th.

We value your patience and cooperation as we work to bring these elevators back operations, and we apologize for the inconvenience caused during this time. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to write the team on PublicInput. 

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April 23, 2024

Repairing the elevators at the Juneau State Office Building has required additional time due to necessary safety measures for our employees and contractors. Asbestos cleaning and air sampling are ongoing, contributing to the delay. To keep everyone informed, we've added a new tab on the PublicInput site where we'll provide updates on the building's asbestos procedures.

For the Central Elevator Bank accessing Floors 5-11, contractor teams are actively coordinating efforts to ensure elevators are brought to full operational status. Mechanical repairs have been completed, but the contractor requires additional air sampling before final inspections can take place. To expedite the air sampling process, we're working closely with the contractor to conduct on-site air sampling. Anticipated results are expected by this Friday, April 26th.

Regarding the Willoughby Elevator Bank accessing Floors 1-8, we are making progress and have completed one out of three component cleanings and are on track to have these elevators back in service by Monday, April 29th.

We appreciate your ongoing patience and apologize for the inconvenience. 

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April 22, 2024

Thank you for your continued patience while we work to repair the Juneau State Office Building elevators. We recognize the impacts caused by the temporary unavailability. Asbestos cleaning and air sampling is required prior to our staff and contractors working within elevator mechanical areas, and this has delayed our progress.    

Here is the latest update: 
 

The Central Elevator Bank Accessing Floors 8-11

• One elevator in this bank remains operational. You will see elevator service contractors working on these elevators today, April 19^th to bring the remaining three back into service. After the elevators are back in service, you will continue to see work activities as we address maintenance needs. 

Willoughby Elevator Bank Accessing Floors 1-8

• Due to contractor availability, cleaning of the elevator shafts in the Willoughby elevator bank begins on Monday, April 22.
• Once the cleaning is completed, elevator technicians will be able to access the mechanical room and begin repair efforts. We are working to have this bank of elevators back in service by Monday, April 29^th.

Access Alternatives

• A shuttle service continues to be available to transport individuals from Willoughby Avenue to building entrances on Calhoun Street.
• Access is available from the Calhoun side and via adjacent stairwells.
• Handicap access is achievable through the Alaska Office Building (AOB) handicap ramp, with temporary parking available nearby.
• The ramp on the 7th floor loading dock is working as an option for emergency access. 

We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work through the maintenance plan and following necessary protocols as we work to restore service . 

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April 17, 2024

Background: The Juneau State Office Building (JSOB) is currently undergoing elevator maintenance, below is an update.

Current Status:

The Central Elevator Bank Accessing Floors 8-11

We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we navigate these maintenance challenges. Stay tuned for further updates.

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April 12, 2024

Thank you for your patience while we work through the issues with the Juneau State Office Building (JSOB), Willoughby side entry elevators.

The repair work has been complicated because the elevator shafts fireproofing contains asbestos and needs assessment and cleaning so we can repair the elevators. We are now on a multiple step process to resolve the issue. Those steps are as follows:

1. Asbestos air sampling in the elevators and elevator shaft. The building recently went through asbestos assessment and air sampling, and this area was not surveyed, so we are completing that step at this time.
2. Remediation. We will move forward with any cleaning and/or abatement of the asbestos containing materials in the elevator spaces with a qualified vendor.
3. Elevator repairs. Once the previous steps have been completed, elevator repairs can begin safely.
4. Update the Management Plan. We are moving forward with updating the building’s Asbestos Management Plan. The Management Plan includes updated training, updated signage, and documentation for staff.

Once asbestos air samples are completed for the elevators and reported back to us, we will share these with you via website: Juneau State Office Building Page - PublicInput

Access:

There is currently a shuttle in place to ferry people from Willoughby Avenue to the JSOB building entrances on Calhoun Street. Additionally, the building can still be accessed on the Calhoun side as well as via the stairwells located adjacent to the elevator lobbies throughout the building. Handicap access can still be achieved through the Alaska Office Building (AOB) handicap ramp located across from the 7th floor SOB loading docks. Once inside the AOB take the elevator to the third floor and onto the sky bridge into the JSOB. There is temporary handicap parking in the “alley” between the AOB and JSOB. The central bank of four elevators is still operational and providing access to 9 through 11.

Thank you again for your patience. We will provide another update as soon as we have one via email and post it on the website as well.

Please submit any questions you have through the comment box below.