PoliticsJuneau · August 6, 2026
juneau's empty school just got claimed
That big empty school building in downtown Juneau is finally coming back to life, and the gym doors open first.
Daily Alaska staff · August 6, 2026 · Juneau
The City and Borough of Juneau is moving its Parks and Recreation facilities maintenance division into the Marie Drake building in downtown Juneau this October, ending two years of vacancy since the Juneau School District closed the building in 2024 after consolidation. The move relocates 13 staff members from the Mount Jumbo gym on Douglas Island, converting former classrooms into offices and the old cafeteria into a workshop space.
The move carries a budget of $150,000, which covers the relocation and construction of a new gravel parking lot outside the building. For Juneau residents, the biggest change comes sooner: the building's gymnasium reopens for community programs right after Labor Day weekend, bringing back pickleball and the preschool open gym downtown.
The city says additional programming will be announced once staff have settled into the building. The planetarium inside Marie Drake will remain in place and is not affected by the move.
In this story
Questions people ask
when is Juneau moving staff into Marie Drake building
This October.
how much does the Juneau Marie Drake move cost
The move costs $150,000, which includes a new gravel parking lot.
when does Juneau Marie Drake gym reopen to public
Right after Labor Day weekend.
is the planetarium staying in Marie Drake building
Yes, the planetarium stays in place.
Evidence
Sources
Claims and where they come from
- The Marie Drake building has sat empty since the school closed in 2024. · alaskapublic.org
- The City and Borough of Juneau is moving its Parks and Recreation facilities maintenance division into the building this October. · alaskapublic.org
- 13 staff are relocating from the Mount Jumbo gym on Douglas Island. · alaskapublic.org
- The move costs $150,000, including a new gravel parking lot. · alaskapublic.org
- The gymnasium reopens for community programs right after Labor Day weekend. · alaskapublic.org
Produced with AI assistance, narrated with Slav Lund's voice clone with his consent, and reviewed by a person before publishing. How we use AI →