Officials with the Downtown YMCA say they plan to close the 95-year-old facility because the cost of renovations are too high. Tony Collins, the president and CEO of the YMCA of Central Ohio, said the plan is to build new facilities for residents, perhaps three or four new buildings in the central city, with supportive services. The Y also plans to open new "health and wellness space" in an existing building Downtown by summer 2020.

The Downtown YMCA will close after nearly 100 years, as staff works to develop housing for YMCA residents and a location for its programs.

The closing of the building at 40 W. Long St. won't be immediate. It could take up to three to five years, YMCA spokeswoman Tina Badurina said.

The Y houses 400 residents now. Badurina said YMCA officials met with the residents, all men, on Tuesday to tell them of the plans.

"We're working with our affordable housing partners, looking at every opportunity we can," she said.

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Tony Collins, the president and CEO of the YMCA of Central Ohio, said the plan is to build new facilities for residents, perhaps three or four new buildings in the central city, with supportive services. The Y also plans to open new "health and wellness space" in an existing building Downtown by summer 2020. But that won't have a pool or gymnasium, Collins said. The goal is to build a new Downtown facility for members, he said.

Badurina said the decision to close was made after an assessment found that structural issues would make it impossible to add kitchens and bathrooms for residents, who now share bathrooms and don't have kitchens. "The rooms are extraordinarily small," Badurina said.

She said the estimated cost of renovations of the building would be more than $50 million.

The seven-story building, with 235,118 square feet, was dedicated on Jan. 13, 1924. The building, rich with ornate trim, was designed in a Jacobethan Revival style, according to the book Architecture Columbus.

The Franklin County Auditor's office values the building at $5.85 million.

The building is on the National Register of Historic Places, and is potentially eligible for tax credits to developers, said Becky West, executive director of the Columbus Landmarks Foundation.

She said the Y was the site of the city's first evening high school, which expanded its curriculum to include post-secondary and professional programs that ultimately evolved into Franklin University.

Mike Stevens, Columbus' interim development director, said he is not concerned about the building's fate, calling it a great location that could be repurposed. He said that the city will work with the Y to addressed the organization's housing needs.

While the building's location and size may make it attractive to developers, it also presents a daunting task.

Brad DeHays, owner of Connect Real Estate, which has redeveloped several old Downtown buildings, including three across Long Street from the YMCA, said he thinks developers will look at the building but the potential renovation cost and lack of parking are big obstacles.

"Spending millions on a large project and not having adequate parking would make it difficult," DeHays said.

"I hope whoever throws their hat into the ring to take that on understands the amount of care required to retain the historic aspect of that building," he added. "It’s such a unique property that it’s going to take a group that’s done this sort of project before."

In addition to the men living there, the YMCA has 3,400 members who use the facility for its gymnasium and pool and activities. The Y offers exercise classes and cycling, among other activities. Badurina said there is no set date to move those activities.

Badurina said selling the building is an option. "We have some interest from developers. Nothing definite," she said.

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@MarkFerenchik

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