POUGHKEEPSIE –Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro and Poughkeepsie Mayor Rob Rolison have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishing a formal partnership to redevelop the former YMCA into a Youth Development Center,with Dutchess Countypledging commitment for up to $25 million for the designandconstructionofthe center at thesite.
With support from the City Council and the Dutchess County Legislature, the process will begin with the demolitionofthe existing structure due to deterioration and environmental concerns. The sitewillbe transformed into communitygreen space while plans continue for a youth center and other community benefit services on themore than 3-acre site. Gregg Pulver, Chairman of the county legislature noted thatDemocratic lawmakers on both the Common Council and County Legislature just last week publicly stated support for the County investment, which should allow the process to begin soon.
The MOU outlines theintent andprocessto build the Youth OpportunityCenter, including an agreementthatthe County will have joint ownership of the property with the City of Poughkeepsie.The City took ownership of the YMCA property as part of its anti-blight initiative last year with the goal of using the property to yield significant community benefit. The Countyof Dutchess must have an ownership interest in thepropertyin order tofinance any construction through a bond under local finance law. The next steps will include draftingand formalizingan intermunicipal agreement between the City and the County, which Mayor Rolison willsubmitto the City Council forapprovalatafuturemeeting. If the council adopts the agreement,the Dutchess County Legislature will then vote to on the agreement. Once the intermunicipal agreement has been authorized by both bodies,County Executive Molinaro will forward a resolution to the County Legislatureto finance the demolition of the building and creation of temporary green space and future construction of the youth center.
Molinaro said, “The County iseager and determined to move forward withthedevelopment of the YMCA site to create a center where the youth of our county can have the support and resources they need from birth through adulthood. The center will serve as a compass for them on the Path to Promise.” Molinaro addressed the COVID-19 economic stresses put on all levels of government, saying “Though the past six months have tested us likenever before, our resolve remains fervent,andwe are making the deliberate, thoughtful decision to make thislong–term investmentina countywide youth center.It is clear thataswe look around us, both nationally and locally, that our society needssuch a facility to help youth successfully navigate their path to adulthood and we are excited to takethesenext steps to bring this much-needed resource to fruition.”
“This is a significant step in our overall vision,” said Rolison. “We will bring activities to this site that affirm our commitment to create a community and recreation resource for the public.Taking the building down and creating open space in the interim is a sound, practical move that will benefit the community. We greatly appreciate our partnership with Dutchess County to get this project moving and look forward to future steps that will greatly strengthen our community.”
The City and County willengage with 35 Montgomery Community Coalition, whose vision presentation for the site, which can be viewed atcityofpoughkeepsie.com/35montgomerystreet,involvesa multi-use facility that would provide services connected to their respective missions in the community. The coalition, which includes Dutchess County as well as education and health care leaders, has beenworking together to determine the most appropriate organizational structure to advance the project.The City, County, and the coalition will work to secure funding sources in addition to the County’s $25 million commitment.
Chairman of the County Legislature Gregg Pulver voiced his support for the plan saying, “A youth center has been part of our discussions for several years now and it is encouraging to have this clear path laid out. Once the City Council approves the agreement, I look forward to thisproject being adopted in the County’s next Capital Plan.”