{
  "story": {
    "slug": "juneau-s-empty-school-just-got-claimed",
    "headline": "juneau's empty school just got claimed",
    "deck": "That big empty school building in downtown Juneau is finally coming back to life, and the gym doors open first.",
    "url": "https://thedailyalaska.com/story/juneau-s-empty-school-just-got-claimed",
    "section": "Politics",
    "area": "Juneau",
    "published_at": "2026-08-06T20:00:00+00:00",
    "updated_at": "2026-10-02T06:28:23.750906+00:00",
    "body_md": "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.\n\nThe 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.\n\nThe 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.",
    "sources": [
      {
        "url": "https://alaskapublic.org/news/2026-08-04/after-two-years-empty-juneaus-marie-drake-building-will-soon-get-new-life",
        "label": "alaskapublic.org"
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    "slug": "juneau-s-empty-school-just-got-claimed",
    "summary": "The City and Borough of Juneau is moving its Parks and Recreation facilities maintenance division into the long-vacant Marie Drake building in downtown Juneau this October, relocating 13 staff from the Mount Jumbo gym on Douglas Island. The $150,000 move includes a new gravel parking lot, and the building's gym reopens for community programs right after Labor Day weekend.",
    "key_facts": [
      "Marie Drake building has sat empty since the Juneau School District closed it in 2024 after consolidation",
      "CBJ's Parks and Recreation facilities maintenance division moves into the building this October",
      "13 staff are relocating from the Mount Jumbo gym on Douglas Island",
      "The move costs $150,000, including a new gravel parking lot",
      "The gymnasium reopens for community programs right after Labor Day weekend",
      "The planetarium inside Marie Drake remains in place"
    ],
    "faq": [
      {
        "a": "This October.",
        "q": "when is Juneau moving staff into Marie Drake building"
      },
      {
        "a": "The move costs $150,000, which includes a new gravel parking lot.",
        "q": "how much does the Juneau Marie Drake move cost"
      },
      {
        "a": "Right after Labor Day weekend.",
        "q": "when does Juneau Marie Drake gym reopen to public"
      },
      {
        "a": "Yes, the planetarium stays in place.",
        "q": "is the planetarium staying in Marie Drake building"
      }
    ],
    "claims": [
      {
        "claim": "The Marie Drake building has sat empty since the school closed in 2024.",
        "confidence": "sourced",
        "source_url": "https://alaskapublic.org/news/2026-08-04/after-two-years-empty-juneaus-marie-drake-building-will-soon-get-new-life",
        "source_label": "alaskapublic.org"
      },
      {
        "claim": "The City and Borough of Juneau is moving its Parks and Recreation facilities maintenance division into the building this October.",
        "confidence": "sourced",
        "source_url": "https://alaskapublic.org/news/2026-08-04/after-two-years-empty-juneaus-marie-drake-building-will-soon-get-new-life",
        "source_label": "alaskapublic.org"
      },
      {
        "claim": "13 staff are relocating from the Mount Jumbo gym on Douglas Island.",
        "confidence": "sourced",
        "source_url": "https://alaskapublic.org/news/2026-08-04/after-two-years-empty-juneaus-marie-drake-building-will-soon-get-new-life",
        "source_label": "alaskapublic.org"
      },
      {
        "claim": "The move costs $150,000, including a new gravel parking lot.",
        "confidence": "sourced",
        "source_url": "https://alaskapublic.org/news/2026-08-04/after-two-years-empty-juneaus-marie-drake-building-will-soon-get-new-life",
        "source_label": "alaskapublic.org"
      },
      {
        "claim": "The gymnasium reopens for community programs right after Labor Day weekend.",
        "confidence": "sourced",
        "source_url": "https://alaskapublic.org/news/2026-08-04/after-two-years-empty-juneaus-marie-drake-building-will-soon-get-new-life",
        "source_label": "alaskapublic.org"
      }
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    "locations": [
      {
        "area": "Southeast",
        "kind": "facility",
        "name": "Marie Drake building"
      },
      {
        "area": "Southeast",
        "kind": "facility",
        "name": "Mount Jumbo gym"
      },
      {
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        "kind": "neighborhood",
        "name": "Douglas Island"
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    "organizations": [
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        "kind": "government",
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      {
        "kind": "school",
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    "event_dates": [
      {
        "date": "2024",
        "label": "Marie Drake building closed by Juneau School District"
      },
      {
        "date": "2026-10",
        "label": "Parks and Recreation division moves into Marie Drake building"
      },
      {
        "date": "2026-09",
        "label": "Gymnasium reopens for community programs"
      }
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    "what_changed": null,
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      "juneau parks and recreation",
      "mount jumbo gym move",
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    "disclosure": "Produced with AI assistance, narrated with Slav Lund's voice clone with his consent, and reviewed by a person before publishing.",
    "generated_at": "2026-10-01T05:30:59.46+00:00",
    "reviewed_at": null,
    "updated_at": "2026-10-02T06:28:23.750906+00:00"
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