When the St. Paul Athletic Club opened on downtown St. Paul’s Cedar Street in 1917, the building was testament to the city’s patrician class.

After more than two decades of owning the hotel-and-office building and five years of operating its expansive athletic facility, downtown developer John Rupp has a new vision. He wants to see at least part of the gym space converted into a nonprofit community center, affordable to residents of all backgrounds.

“It would invite everybody, and a much more expanded use than what is there now,” said Rupp on Wednesday. “There would be a substantial amount of community programming that would be woven into it. A lot of community centers, if their reach is broad enough, some members pay fees and some don’t.”

Rupp said he has begun reaching out to charitable foundations to determine their interest.

He’s also set up an initial discussion with the District 17 Capitol River Council, a downtown neighborhood association. The meeting is scheduled with the district council’s Public Realm Committee at 5 p.m. Thursday on the balcony level of 180 E. Fifth Street.

Rupp said he’ll welcome feedback before approaching city officials for potential public support.

James LaFaye, a downtown resident who is active in civic affairs, said he’s looked for a way to create a new community gathering space since the HealthEast Care System pulled out of its City Passport senior center in the downtown skyway in late 2016.

With funding from the city, HealthEast operated the senior gathering spot for 14 years, he said. LaFaye said he’s been in touch with the center’s former director to see if there’s a way to integrate her into Rupp’s project.

“I’m excited about anything that will get Passport reopened,” LaFaye said.

LaFaye said he has no illusions about Rupp’s financial motives — the gym has lost members to a growing number of competitors in the athletic market — but he doesn’t entirely care.

“I’ve lost track of the hours I’ve spent trying to find a site, and funding,” LaFaye said. “Many of the members are isolated. This was their social life. This is the closest thing we have come to as a solution.”

The athletic club building, which spans 200,000 square feet, is also home to the College of St. Scholastica and the Global Language Institute, as well as Rupp’s hotel and banquet operations. Rupp envisions that those uses would continue, including the athletic club, albeit with a broader mission. Related Articles Frogtown Community Center unveils new artificial turf field, playground and outdoor fun

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“I’ve owned the building for 23 years, and I’m trying to think of a legacy project,” Rupp said. “I want it to be a world-class community center. One of my inspirations — and I’m looking at many examples — is the 92nd Street Y in New York City.”

The athletic club, which opened in 1917 and contains a swimming pool, was operated for a period by Lifetime Fitness. It closed for a few years before reopening under Rupp’s management about five years ago.