The building is expected to open in late 2023, and officials say this is just the first phase of redeveloping the 13-acre hospital site.
“The shovels are ready to go,” said Todd Kinskey, Dayton’s director of planning, neighborhoods and development. “This is really exciting for the neighborhood.”
The Dayton City Commission on Wednesday approved a development agreement with the YMCA of Greater Dayton Foundation LLC that will provide the nonprofit organization with $400,000 of the city’s federal rescue funds.
The funding will help the YMCA of Greater Dayton build a new facility at the former Good Sam property at 2222 Philadelphia Drive.
The city’s contribution will help pay for design, mechanical, electrical, infrastructure and materials and pre-construction services related to site development, says a Dayton city manager’s report.
The YMCA of Greater Dayton also needs new New Market Tax Credits to make the project a reality, said Dale Brunner, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Dayton.
The project has been awarded credits by CityWide and the Dayton Region New Market Fund, but it has not closed on financing yet, CityWide said.
The project has secured about $16 million in tax credits, which should net the project about $5 million, Brunner said.
Brunner said it became clear the project is definitely going to happen within the last two months.
Other funding comes from private donors, foundation gifts, public contributions and other sources.
The new full-service YMCA will have a gymnasium with a track circling above, a four-lane pool and a fitness center, Brunner said.
Every YMCA is different, and the organization will work with community members to develop a programming plan they want at this location, he said.
“The whole idea is for us to change the lives, right on the campus, for these people, in the community we love,” he said.
The YMCA of Greater Dayton last year served about 170,000 people.
The organization believes the new facility will serve between 7,000 to 10,000 people annually.
Community members want a project at the site that supports economic vitality, creates jobs, leverages investments and promotes healthy living and education, Brunner said.
“The goal is, just like every one of our YMCAs, why should they have to leave their community to get the services they need?” he said.
The YMCA will own the facility, and other tenants will lease space. Those partners plan to create offices, educational spaces, a new urgent care and spaces for other uses.
CareSource will use its area to provide direct support to clients to help prevent and detect medical issues, said Judith Davis, vice president of of clinical operations at CareSource Ohio.
Many residents lack access to grocery stores, and CareSource plans to install a state-of-the-art chef kitchen, encircled by barstools, where community members will be taught how to cook healthy food, she said.
CareSource also will offer classes, counseling and other instruction.
On Wednesday, Dayton Mayor Jeffrey Mims Jr. and Commissioners Darryl Fairchild and Matt Joseph voted in favor of approving the grant agreement with the YMCA.
Commissioner Shenise Turner-Sloss abstained. She said the project will be impactful but many people in northwest Dayton have demanded a hospital at that site.
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