The Phoenix Suns and Mercury and the Valley of the Sun YMCA have announced plans to replace the closed downtown YMCA facility on 1st Avenue and replace it with a new 55KSF facility with basketball courts, program facilities and a café.
On top of the new three-story YMCA, VanTrust Real Estate has committed to developing three stories of affordable housing totaling approximately 60 units, according to a local news outlet.
BEX research staff has confirmed Gensler is the design firm planning the new facility.
Funding for the new development will be provided via the Phoenix Suns/Phoenix Mercury Foundation.
The Lincoln Family Downtown YMCA closed in September and is expected to be demolished to make way for the new development.
That plan has run into a complication, however. Another news outlet has reported the Phoenix Historic Preservation Commission has raised concerns about demolishing the 74-year-old building and believes it might be possible to save it. Members also indicated they might start working to bestow a historic designation on the site when the Commission meets in November.
The 60-day demolition hold to allow review of the plan ends Nov. 20. YMCA representatives say the building is deteriorating and has become unsafe in places. Commissioners expressed doubts in the October meeting and said developers sometimes rush to say a facility is beyond repair.
If the Commission presses for a historic designation, demolition would be halted while the matter is considered. The City of Phoenix could override the Commission’s decision, particularly if YMCA claimed failing to demolish the building in a timely manner could constitute an economic hardship.
YMCA officials have warned delaying the project could increase development costs and may negatively impact fundraising and potential partnerships.
