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PostJul 26, 2016#26

Nooooo!
Thank you for your membership with the Downtown YMCA. We appreciate you being part of our association and hope the Y helps you grow in spirit, mind and body - and to lead to a healthier lifestyle.
I’m writing to share with you some exciting and significant changes with the Downtown Y facility. The Board of Directors for the Gateway Region YMCA has voted to relocate the current Downtown Y at 1528 Locust to a new location in the downtown central business district. Currently, the Y has signed a letter of intent for a new state-of-the-art facility at 6th and Locust Streets in the MX Building development.
The new location will feature many amenities, including a fitness center, group exercise rooms, the latest equipment, private showers, changing rooms and steam rooms, an outdoor patio for outdoor classes and social functions, and an open lobby with free Wi-Fi, coffee, gathering and working areas. The target date for opening the new branch is January 2017. Operations will continue at the current facility until the new facility is ready.
This decision comes after a year of careful and extensive research and deliberation by a special committee made up of Downtown Y board volunteers, Metro board volunteers, and staff, as well as by an independent research firm, to study options for the future of the Downtown branch. For a number of reasons, the current facility faces significant annual financial losses. This, along with a sizable investment needed for deferred maintenance, prompted our search for a new location. This move will put us in a position to reduce the negative impact on our long-term fiscal health and provide continued service to the downtown community and those from around the bi-state area who use the facility.
There is nothing you need to do at this time. We will notify you when we have finalized an opening date for the new Downtown Y. In the meantime, the current facility will remain open. As a reminder, membership at the Y is “Join One, Join All”, so you are allowed full access to any of our 24 branches in the bi-state area, including our four other branches in the City of St. Louis – the South City Family Y, the Monsanto Family Y, the Carondelet Park Rec Complex and the O’Fallon Park Rec Complex.
We greatly value your membership, and we want to continue to be your destination for fitness and personal growth. We are excited to provide you with a new facility that will give our members better fitness features and amenities, and allow us to continue to serve the downtown community.
If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to call the Downtown Y at 314-436-4100. Thank you for allowing us to serve you and your family, and for your membership with the Y.
Sincerely,
Tim Helm
President and CEO, Gateway Region YMCA

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PostJul 26, 2016#27

^ Why the disappointment?

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PostJul 26, 2016#28

The vibe at this location was unbeatable. Three racquetball courts, indoor driving range, the original pool, the building itself, the classic R&B and soul music over the speakers... In the big picture, it's all good...time marches on and people like new stuff. I will have to do a blog on the old Y to capture it in its final days.

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PostJul 26, 2016#29

^ I look forward to your post! Yeah, I can see it from that nostalgia p.o.v. but as you say I think it'll be good for the health of the downtown Y. And it will help activate a sorely depressed part of the CBD. And I'm hopeful the building will find a wonderful re-use in due time.

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PostJul 26, 2016#30

YESSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!
private showers

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PostJul 26, 2016#31

dissappointing there's no pool. Any word on racquetball courts?
If we can get racquetball courts and not let the music change I think it's a huge step up. Pool situation is a negative though.

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PostJul 27, 2016#32

They closed the Marquette Downtown Location - almost a year or two after the completely renovated it. That location was in the Marquette Building (now condos) between 4th and Broadway. The location was nice with saunas, steams, whirlpools and everything else this new Y looks to have. So, that being said, I love the old building and the old history of this Y. The new one will lack pool and raquet ball courts. Why take those away when those are so mostly used at the Y Downtown on Locust now? Seems like they could lose some members over that. Also, no whirlpools or saunas in the new lockerooms. One more also, private showers sounds nice - but really? Is our society come to a point when men can't shower with each other and vice versa? Who cares.

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PostJul 28, 2016#33

matguy70 wrote:One more also, private showers sounds nice - but really? Is our society come to a point when men can't shower with each other and vice versa? Who cares.
I used to belong to the MAC. I've seen things that can't be unseen.

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PostFeb 15, 2017#34












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PostFeb 16, 2017#35

This week, the front desk worker said the old Y will close this May.

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PostFeb 16, 2017#36

That's sad. It is and forever will be my favorite place to workout, play basketball, etc. Such great character and such great people and that doesn't even take into account the incredible pool in the basement.

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PostMar 31, 2017#37

From the Business Journal today:

Jefferson Arms Buyer Targets Next Acquisition: Downtown YMCA Building

Later is looking to purchase 415 N. Tucker for $7 Million.

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PostMar 31, 2017#38

^ bit confused here with the "later"... 415 N. Tucker is the Jefferson-Arms, I believe.

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PostMar 31, 2017#39

STLrainbow wrote:^ bit confused here with the "later"... 415 N. Tucker is the Jefferson-Arms, I believe.

Whooah. Sorry I'm on vacation.


"Mike Sarimsakci, president of Alterra International, the Dallas-based developer that has the Jefferson Arms building under contract, said his group is in discussions to purchase the soon-to-be former home of the Downtown St. Louis YMCA at 1528 Locust St."


Here is the link to the article
http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news ... j=77772031


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PostMar 31, 2017#40

^ thanks... now go back to vacation!

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PostMar 31, 2017#41

This building has a TON of potential. I wonder what kind of shape the upstairs units are in? It was cleared out around 2007. Hopefully they would keep the basement pool. It's a hidden treasure.

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PostMar 31, 2017#42

so hes got the jeff arms under contract, interested in butler bros, and now has eyes for the old YMCA? this guy is the man! plus he wants to redevelop part of the north riverfront and build a 50 story tower. Even if it doesnt all come to fruition, he has a great, admirable vision for our city and I welcome it whole heartedly. I hope his interest sparks others' as well.

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PostApr 01, 2017#43

user28 wrote:
Mar 31, 2017
so hes got the jeff arms under contract, interested in butler bros, and now has eyes for the old YMCA? this guy is the man! plus he wants to redevelop part of the north riverfront and build a 50 story tower. Even if it doesnt all come to fruition, he has a great, admirable vision for our city and I welcome it whole heartedly. I hope his interest sparks others' as well.
Sounds like he needs to at least start on one..... one under contract and talking about others doesn't mean he is committed to do anything at this point. To me the Railway Exchange developers/owner with the deed in hand and a $19 million bridge loan to make things happen is looking a lot more promising.

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PostApr 01, 2017#44

^ to counter that though the RR/X developers own a lot of buildings but haven't had an established track record of successful redevelopment. (I do think it is helpful they have brought on Amos Harris & another local developer that escapes my memory at the moment for the project.); the JeffArms folks have solid results to show in Dallas. Both are ambitious for sure.

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PostApr 30, 2017#45

From the YMCA:
It's getting that time. The Downtown St. Louis YMCA at 1528 Locust will tentatively be closing on May 20, 2017. We will be hosting a celebratory event on Friday May 19, 2017. If you are renting a locker, please remember you will need to remove your belongings by May 19. After we close the 1528 Locust location there will be no place to store any items left behind and we will be donating them. Thank you to everyone that has learned to swim in our pool, taken water fitness, or swam laps. Please don't miss the chance to take a swim!
If this building gets renovated to residential, great. But man, what a downgrade in amenities for people who live around here and use the Y.

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PostMay 01, 2017#46

Mark Groth wrote:
Apr 30, 2017
From the YMCA:
It's getting that time. The Downtown St. Louis YMCA at 1528 Locust will tentatively be closing on May 20, 2017. We will be hosting a celebratory event on Friday May 19, 2017. If you are renting a locker, please remember you will need to remove your belongings by May 19. After we close the 1528 Locust location there will be no place to store any items left behind and we will be donating them. Thank you to everyone that has learned to swim in our pool, taken water fitness, or swam laps. Please don't miss the chance to take a swim!
If this building gets renovated to residential, great. But man, what a downgrade in amenities for people who live around here and use the Y.
Agreed. It might be old and quirky and charming, but overall that was a great workout facility for DT West. It still had a working barbershop and a lot of pick-up bball games.

Is the pool still open? If so I want to get down there one last time before it closes.

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PostMay 01, 2017#47

robertn42 wrote:
May 01, 2017
Is the pool still open? If so I want to get down there one last time before it closes.
Yes, but they haven't cleaned it since 2003.

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PostMay 03, 2017#48

south compton wrote:
May 01, 2017
robertn42 wrote:
May 01, 2017
Is the pool still open? If so I want to get down there one last time before it closes.
Yes, but they haven't cleaned it since 2003.
Just the way I like it.

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PostMay 15, 2017#49

Parking no longer free at Downtown YMCA:
Plenty of parking is available at the new MX location in the Downtown East Garage located on 6th Street directly across the street from the branch. The entrance to the garage is on 6th Street as well. Parking fees are the regular market rate from 8 am – 5 pm, Monday - Friday. Parking passes are available for $1 for two hours on the weekend, and for those who depart prior to 8 am or arrive after 5 pm. Passes are available for purchase at the branch.

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PostDec 20, 2018#50

Former downtown YMCA site sold to Colorado firm with Walton family ties

https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/new ... -firm.html

Behind paywall. Anybody care to provide a synopsis and/or full text?

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