The Johnson Youth Center (JYC) Core Building was constructed as the “Juneau Juvenile and Women’s Detention Facility” in 1981-1982. This wood-framed, single-level structure was the first on this site and currently serves as the facility main entrance and “gateway”. In 2010 the building was in poor condition, and the State of Alaska engaged NorthWind Architects to design a comprehensive renovation of the Probation office portion of the existing building, and a tear-down and replacement of the secure detention wing, affording an additional 6 beds, a large common room, a laundry facility, and secure outdoor recreation yard. 

JYC was carefully planned as a renovation that would proceed with the continued occupancy and use of the adjacent campus buildings. The secure perimeter was maintained, as were the utilities which inconveniently passed through the area of the work. The $8.5M facility was constructed with CMGC contractor Cornerstone Construction out of Anchorage. Project schedule and budget were maintained as promised by the contracting methodology, and the operational facility was occupied by the Owner in the spring of 2013.