City purchases YMCA building and property for $1
The Euclid Family YMCA building will be torn down once the City takes ownership in the fall.
Assuming a property record review goes as planned, the City of Euclid will take ownership of the closed Euclid YMCA on Babbit Road sometime in early Fall. After the Greater Cleveland YMCA closed the facility in March of 2018, the building sat idle as the YMCA explored its options, ignoring requests for comment from The Observer about the future of the property. Behind the scenes, Euclid city officials were working on acquiring the property for future use and potential redevelopment.
In mid-July, City Council approved the purchase of the property, authorizing Mayor Kirsten Holzheimer-Gail to buy it for $1. On July 25, the Greater Cleveland YMCA board approved the sale to Euclid.
Once ownership of the building and approximately 5.2 acres of property shift to the City’s hands, the next step will be tearing down the old building, according to Jonathan Holody, Planning and Development Director with the City of Euclid. The City will bid out the asbestos removal, estimated to cost $170,000 as a first step. Fortunately for Euclid, the most recent state budget has $150,000 earmarked for this purpose thanks to the collective efforts of State Senator Kenny Yuko (D-25), Councilperson Laura Gorshe and Mayor Holzheimer Gail. Euclid will then have to put in $20,000 of City money to get the state funds. For the building demolition, a $100,000 grant from Cuyahoga County will provide the needed money.
“Right now, we plan to keep the parking lot, driveways and pavilion intact,” said Holody. “It will be for public use in the short term and hopefully used by some of the neighborhood.”
Longer term, Holody says the property has potential to be used in several ways. “It’s relatively good size, got great access to the highway and is conveniently located in the center of the city. It’s next to the golf course and across the street from Memorial Park.”
Some of the potential uses under consideration include:
- Permanent green space/park
- Residential development
- Municipal development if ever needed to expand recreation facilities
“We will have to go through a process of exploring these options with City Council and the public,” added Holody. “By next spring, we could start having those conversations about the property.”
Kurt Steigerwald
Someone who lives in Euclid, enjoys writing and wants to stay informed. My wife and I have two children and live in the northeast part of the City. We are active in many Euclid activities.