Riverside YMCA

[ubben]

I recently went into the Y and was amazed at what a janky, ugly mess the layout of the building is. I'm surprised it has not been condemned by the fire department. Yet I hear they are planning to build a replacement building on the 'oval' between the current Y and the river. This could be awesome and take advantage of the great views. Has anybody heard anything about when this is going to happen or have any preliminary architectural drawings? This has the potential to be a huge asset on the Northbank.

[mtraininjax]

Before, when there was life in real estate and the Brooklyn projects, there was discussion to move the Y across Riverside Avenue into the 1st floor of one of the new buildings, and sell the land to developers. As you can see, that did not happen.

[Dog Walker]

That mess of a layout is the result of many remodelings and additions to the original building over the years.  It must be at least three times as big now as it was when the first building was put there fifty years ago and every square inch is used.  The place stays busy and full.

[vicupstate]

Before, when there was life in real estate and the Brooklyn projects, there was discussion to move the Y across Riverside Avenue into the 1st floor of one of the new buildings, and sell the land to developers. As you can see, that did not happen.

This is what SHOULD still happen.  Better yet, put it in the Annie Lytle building. To devote that much prime riverfront land to a single use, low-rise building is a huge waste, IMO. 

The existing building is very inefficient in it's use of space.   

[Bativac]

My wife and I are in there all the time and are constantly amused by yet another of the city's beautiful waterfront parking lots.

They did a great job with the Riverwalk in that area. I just wish there was something at that end of the Riverwalk besides parking lots and office buildings. I agree that a one use facility situated with its parking lots facing the river is probably not the best use of the area...but it sure beats the vacant lots across the street.

[Captain Zissou]

Before, when there was life in real estate and the Brooklyn projects, there was discussion to move the Y across Riverside Avenue into the 1st floor of one of the new buildings, and sell the land to developers. As you can see, that did not happen.

This is what SHOULD still happen.  Better yet, put it in the Annie Lytle building. To devote that much prime riverfront land to a single use, low-rise building is a huge waste, IMO.  

The existing building is very inefficient in it's use of space.  

That's a fantastic idea.  Horribly cost prohibitive, but a great idea.  That would (a) bring hundreds of people daily to an underutilized area (b) give an adaptive reuse to a wonderful building (c) help to connect Brooklyn to 5 points via Riverside park (d) free up riverfront property for development and (e)actually make sense.

My fear is that the cost of such an endeavor would be in the $20 million range.  Probably too pricey to be feasible.

[Dog Walker]

"janky"

Good new word, Ubben.  Mind if we borrow it?  Very descriptive.

[Captain Zissou]

"janky"

Good new word, Ubben.  Mind if we borrow it?  Very descriptive.

It's one of my favorites.  Seldom used, all encompassing, and novel.  I've used it to describe everything from Wine Glasses to People. 

[vicupstate]

Before, when there was life in real estate and the Brooklyn projects, there was discussion to move the Y across Riverside Avenue into the 1st floor of one of the new buildings, and sell the land to developers. As you can see, that did not happen.

This is what SHOULD still happen.  Better yet, put it in the Annie Lytle building. To devote that much prime riverfront land to a single use, low-rise building is a huge waste, IMO. 

The existing building is very inefficient in it's use of space.   

That's a fantastic idea.  Horribly cost prohibitive, but a great idea.  That would (a) bring hundreds of people daily to an underutilized area (b) give an adaptive reuse to a wonderful building (c) help to connect Brooklyn to 5 points via Riverside park (d) free up riverfront property for development and (e)actually make sense.

My fear is that the cost of such an endeavor would be in the $20 million range.  Probably too pricey to be feasible.

Washington DC (Capitol Hill) has exactly what I am describing:

Originally built in 1889, the J.R. Giddings school is considered a historically significant building due to its role as the first all-black public school in Washington, DC.  Surplussed and sold by the DC government in the late 1990s, Results Gym did a full renovation of the facilities into a 65,000 sq ft. multi-use fitness facility, opening in September 2001.  In addition to the most current cardio and weight training equipment the club houses four int'l-sized Squash courts, a full basketball/volleyball court, 38' rock-climbing wall, spa-like locker rooms with dry and steam saunas and hot tubs.  Programming was expanded to include babysitting and juniors classes at this location.  A healthy food café and parking rounds out the list of amenities available to members and guests.

I've used this gym myself and it was VERY cool. They definitely didn't gut the building at all, quite the opposite.  The classroom walls and hallways are still intact.  Even the chalkboards are still on the walls, in the 'classrooms', that are now Aerobic and other exercise rooms.   

http://www.resultsthegym.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=locations.capitol%5Fhill

BTW, like Annie Lytle, this building is RIGHT NEXT to a freeway.

Given the condition of the Lytle building it would be expensive to do ANYTHING, but $20mm sounds like double what it would cost IMO.

[mtraininjax]

This is what SHOULD still happen.  Better yet, put it in the Annie Lytle building. To devote that much prime riverfront land to a single use, low-rise building is a huge waste, IMO. 

The existing building is very inefficient in it's use of space.   

If we are really going out on a limb, why not turn the fire station on Riverside into a mecca of Y with a track and a public boat ramp to boot. I mean, if we're thinking crazy about moving to Annie Lytle, why not save the Fire Station first AND its just a couple of short blocks down the street.

[vicupstate]

This is what SHOULD still happen.  Better yet, put it in the Annie Lytle building. To devote that much prime riverfront land to a single use, low-rise building is a huge waste, IMO. 

The existing building is very inefficient in it's use of space.   

If we are really going out on a limb, why not turn the fire station on Riverside into a mecca of Y with a track and a public boat ramp to boot. I mean, if we're thinking crazy about moving to Annie Lytle, why not save the Fire Station first AND its just a couple of short blocks down the street.

The square footage of the school is almost exactly what the Y would need, more or less. The school also has much better exposure to the high traffic count on I-95.   

[mtraininjax]

The school also has much better exposure to the high traffic count on I-95.   

How do you figure? The fire station is right at the end of Forest and allows easy access on and off both interstates. Lytle forces you to go off College to Roselle to Park to Forest. Plus, there is no way to build the boat ramp at Lytle.

[Timkin]

The school also has much better exposure to the high traffic count on I-95.   

How do you figure? The fire station is right at the end of Forest and allows easy access on and off both interstates. Lytle forces you to go off College to Roselle to Park to Forest. Plus, there is no way to build the boat ramp at Lytle.

Unless you mean to move the Fire Station across the street, because Fidelity owns the land,  that is a no-go.  Putting the Y at Annie Lytle would be fine with me.  No matter what reuse the building is put to, It essentially has to be rebuilt (except for the brick and the portico)  .. Im trying to follow the thread , but I think the building ( A/L )  can be rehabbed for significantly less than 20 MM..  Per City Development Company in 2007 ( I think thats correct)  the cost, (Engineers, Architects, Contractors , everything)  APPROACHED  8-9 MM.  and that was to make it into a 33 apartment complex.   So NO WAY is it 20 MM to be converted to a YMCA.   Not only that , being a Gym,  there is LITTLE doubt that the memberships there would definitely repay the debt.

as to a boat ramp...   Umm.. what does that have to do with the YMCA?

[904Scars]

Before, when there was life in real estate and the Brooklyn projects, there was discussion to move the Y across Riverside Avenue into the 1st floor of one of the new buildings, and sell the land to developers. As you can see, that did not happen.

This is what I had always heard. I think it's a great idea but we all know money puts the slow or complete hault to everything. I think it would be pretty cool to see School #4 turned into something useful, it's been sitting collecting dust, bums, fleas and rodents for far too long. Plus it's an awesome building overall.

[Timkin]

Agree 904...  Annie obviously needs work but layout-wise and SF, you could put a hell of a YMCA there.

As to its accessiblity... From 95 n you simply take the Park St. Exit, cross Park and in 2 blocks, you're there.  From anywhere in Riverside ,its VERY accessible.. (Sorry M-train but you simply don't want to see the building saved.)   Where it is NOT exactly accessible is coming from 95 S.  Unfortunately , the Masses decided the approaches to the new bridge needed to cut the College St. exit off , so in that regard it is  not accessible...  From every other approach, accessibility is NOT the issue... In terms of renovation ..No Idea what that would cost, but certainly not 20mm...  to convert it to a Y.

If Ock's Idea of extending the Skyway to it ,to the upper levels ,making it a Station, mixed with a YMCA on the lower level,  I don't see how it could not be a money-making investment on that approach.