Downtown YMCA

[dogbo]

Agreed. Also nice to give West-end Salvage’s building a companion.

[Mastermind]

Looks like the YMCA is interested in building in Riverpoint West.
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/articl ... N-election

[DMRyan]

I believe this is the 100,000 sq. ft. "institutional use" proposed for Gray's Landing/Riverpoint West that was mentioned this past winter.

[DMRyan]

The finishing touches are still being put on the new YMCA Transitional Housing Building, including a sign on the taller tower that sticks up on the east portion of the development. Looks like it's occupied though, so I think the residents may officially be out of the riverfront YMCA now.

[DMRyan]

An article in the Register today mentioned that the downtown riverfront YMCA is here to stay. Sounds like they're committed to overhauling the existing exercise facilities and opening up the top tower for an office or educational use. This is the marquee redevelopment site in downtown, but the planets aren't aligning right now to remove this turd of a building from the riverfront (not that the YMCA isn't a great use for the riverfront now and in the future). I like that the 'Y' will be staying on the riverfront, I don't like any investment in this building that perpetuates it's existence on the riverfront.

[Young DSM Social Club]

I think this is a building that is going to draw extreme positions. Personally, I like it and don't have a problem with it being saved. There are some unique aspects to it that a new building would never have. The mosaics alone are pretty cool. The upper level could definitely be converted into something better.

I know the DSM Historical Society wants it saved as well.

Curious what others think ...

[casbern]

Personally, I see no architectural significance to it. One of the only reasons I am in favor of keeping it is that it's higher than 3 stories. As soon as a decent proposal comes along that can make full use of that site with some very decent density, I say the Y needs to jump at the chance.

[speeder]

The YMCA's goal for the membership facilities is to reorient uses with the river in mind. The tower is very narrow, basically set up like a small dorm. Reuse of the tower will be a challenge but I think it has potential and with some exterior improvements (as well as interior renovation) could be an attractive asset to the riverfront. New windows alone in the tower would be a huge improvement. I have had a change or heart overall with this building/site but the brick color has never been a favorite of mine.

[hawk61401]

Many moons ago, I stayed over night at the Y because my apartment was stinking to high heaven from the smell of fresh paint. If I had stayed in a jail cell , I would have had more breathing room. There was a sink, a toilet, and a cot that was called a bed.

So, I 'm thinking ... If they tear out a wall between two rooms maybe it can be adapted to some kind of office or residential use. I don't see any architectural significance to the building either. This is prime, prime riverfront - riverwalk land and would be nice to see it realize it's full potential.

[wmjindsm]

I don't know the dimensions, but in San Francisco, they took the old Y and converted into a nice hotel (with the Y exercise facilities still there. Looks like they combined two rooms into one. Not a huge room but nice.

http://www.harborcourthotel.com/

[hawk61401]

I don't know the dimensions, but in San Francisco, they took the old Y and converted into a nice hotel (with the Y exercise facilities still there. Looks like they combined two rooms into one. Not a huge room but nice.

http://www.harborcourthotel.com/

well, I never under estimate the creativity of a goood architect. Look what happened to the White Line Building. It went from a sows ear to suave condos. Harbor Court went from a Y with 400 rooms with bunk beds to 131 guest rooms with private baths.

It's tower looks narrow too like the Des Moines Y. http://bit.ly/FS0uyd

[Mastermind]

I don't know the dimensions, but in San Francisco, they took the old Y and converted into a nice hotel (with the Y exercise facilities still there. Looks like they combined two rooms into one. Not a huge room but nice.

http://www.harborcourthotel.com/

well, I never under estimate the creativity of a goood architect. Look what happened to the White Line Building. It went from a sows ear to suave condos. Harbor Court went from a Y with 400 rooms with bunk beds to 131 guest rooms with private baths.

It's tower looks narrow too like the Des Moines Y. http://bit.ly/FS0uyd

I tend to agree with Hawks on this one.

[50314]

It ISa significant building as being one of the only International Style buildings in town. I have faith in architects that they can reinvent this building into many different things, but I have no faith in a developer to create a new building that would be significant enough for this location. They will fight to cheapen the hell out of it before making something nice. The existing building could be "re-skinned" with a glass facade in front of the existing brick (think double wall like the federal building) Options I would like to see 1)A boutique hotel with restaurant, bar and meeting rooms on the lower levels (I will never understand why the Hampton Inn and Suites couldn't have moved into this building instead of causing a ruckus at there new site) 2) Mixed use (YMCA can stay/restaurant and bars on grade level/and apartments or condo's on upper levels) 3) Office (but the footprint is too small to make that practical, and there is too much office SQ FT downtown now)

Count me in as someone who will fight to keep this building - if anything, it is the environmentally conscious thing to do.

[DMRyan]

Agreed on finding a developer that would do this site justice and add/keep any height, but wouldn't putting modern cladding on the building get rid of much of the International Style of architecture that is said to make this building special?

The 8 ft. tall concrete ceilings and institutional construction type will make reuse to fit modern-day needs a challenge for all uses but perhaps a hotel. I'm not advocating for tearing the building down tomorrow, but IF the right proposal ever comes along on this key site, I'm all for letting the wrecking ball rip after the building has been properly historically documented. Hell, take down the tile murals and incorporate them into whatever could get built on this site to pay homage to what once stood. Argeeing on architecture can be subjective, but the brick color is as ugly as brick could get, and half of the building is a fortress with no street presence. If there are no takers on converting this albatross on the river, I could see a proposal to demo the tower and keep the YMCA-used building only, similar to what's been proposed with the old Polk County Jail for new courthouse space.

I've been up in the tower portion and the views on either side of the building are incredible. Surely this property would have to have some value as a desireable riverfront location someday down the road when development picks up.

[hawk61401]

In the 1890s, the City Beautiful Movement was sweeping across the USA, and the people of Des Moines gave their city a stately set of Neoclassical buildings overlooking their river. With new parks and pedestrian-friendly zones playfully ornamenting a newly heightened levy, this part of town feels ready to bust into a boisterous future. The former library has recently been turned into the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates, a palace celebrating heroes in the war against hunger.

The above quote is from Rick Steves Road Trip to Des Moines which dogbo posted under the World Food Prize Headquarter's thread. http://huff.to/wLBzMW

Across the street from the "palace celebrating heroes" is a building that I am at a loss for words to describe right now. The words wouldn't be complimentary. Rick Steves said "this part of town feels ready to bust into a boisterous future" I hope so.

I'm concerned that something will be done on the cheap to the Y that will last the next 20 years. I would prefer to leave it alone, if it takes 3-5 years, for something that complements the riverwalk. In a few weeks, Jun Kaneko's sculptures will be gracing the south side of the Riverwalk Pavilion. Each new addition makes the Y look more out of place.

[CJG]

I agree with the fear of adding cheap fixes that make it more difficult to redevelop in the future. It is a valuable piece of land. The current structure and ground parking is not of value. I would prefer that this tract of land become green space with some park seating and maybe small food cart vendors until a redevelopment use emerges.

[Cyclonefan]

Heard a rumor that a des moines architecture firm is currently working on renovation plans for the old YMCA. Not sure what for but i assume some sort of housing

[iowacountyite]

Sorry all, I had no idea where I should post this question, but Im going to ask it on here anyway. So what is the deal with the no mans land that is taking place in the area that is south of the YMCA, porn shop, emc ramp, etc. Is there a reason that there is no development here? Is this part of downtown particularly unattractive for any sort of development. I personally think if this no mans land was developed downtown would look like a totally different and much larger city if it transitioned into the core.

[dsmspence]

I couldn't resist adding my two cents into this discussion. The Y issued a press release last week that stated that the actual gym section is going to get a look by architects, but the tower was not included in this work.

http://www.dmymca.org/index.cfm/37371/4 ... enovations

I had a chance to go inside the Riverfront YMCA the other day for the first time since I was very young. This building needs serious work on it's curb appeal, but there's something extremely "Don and Betty Draper" about the inside and there's something kind of sad about having lost that part of American history. When this building was built, bear in mind that city officials were eyeing the old Federal Courthouse at the same time to put up the beautiful (he said sarcastically) ramp that's now at 5th and Walnut/Court. Yes, the YMCA needs updating and improvements and the location could benefit the Riverwalk a lot, but in my mind, it absolutely and unquestionably has value. So here are my ideas, for what they're worth:

- What we're working with now:


- Cover the tower and non-mural sections of brick with stainless steel cladding that is made from recycled materials like the cladding below and convert the tower into unique office space. Perhaps a dedicated building for startups and/or non-profits? See cladding ideas below:


Or this that's a little more feasible:


- Architects could go totally Barcelona on the portion facing 2nd and use dramatic LED uplighting for the night time that changed color, a la Davis Brown's lobby. See picture below:


- As for the Riverwalk section, how about a fountain/shallow pool for people to cool off in during the summer? Perhaps a family oriented riverwalk cafe too?


In the end, I think it's important for the city's historical character to keep the YMCA. There are cosmetic improvements that certainly can be made and hopefully someone with foresight and the funding can make something happen with this fairly neat old building.

[hawk61401]

Goood ideas, dsmspence. It's not impossible to turn the Y into an asset for the riverwalk. This institutional looking building with it's dim little windows on brick could become a light art sculpture by night. In the daytime it could be a brighter downtown space by reflecting sunlight.

The riverwalk is still crying out for a people place and a magnet to draw them. I'm not sure the Hub Kiosk is going to do it. Realistically, I doubt if this building will become a pile of rubble. If the YWCA was over a million to demolish, I'd venture to say this would be twice the cost.

The bottom floor and something extending east of the building needs to be something to draw the public to enjoy the riverwalk views.

[Cyclonefan]

I think this kind of goes back to the events center discussion, A large, national anchor restaurant like Rainforest cafe or Hard Rock Cafe along the river would help bring people along the river.

[DMRyan]

dsmspence, I like your ideas. Consequently, the LADCO redevelopment proposal conceptual renderings that I'd seen featured that ultra-modern look that you've shown, but that is a proposal that is beyond dead.

There is a story in the DSM Register today that spills the beans on the YMCA actively scouting additional redevelopment sites. I would speculate that if fundraising doesn't go as planned, or all the planets don't align, the most cost-effective proposal may be renovate what they already have on the riverfront. Otherwise, I think the article is clear that the direction the YMCA and several other prominent downtown leaders are heading down will be to think bigger and bolder by relocating it elsewhere downtown, possibly anchoring another large scale redevelopment project. The article linked below mentions possible locations as a part of the large redevelopment that is getting the tires kicked south of the Events Center. I also wonder if they could look at retrofitting the now empty and soon to be mothballed Polk County Convention Complex for something like this, rather than have it be converted to courthouse space. The YMCA plans to make their decision this fall, and they also mention that they would like to construct a 50-meter pool in their new digs, since there isn't currently a 50-meter pool facility in the metro. Downtown and central Des Moines needs a state-of-the-art, large scale fitness facility like this.

Article:
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/articl ... n?Business

Also, I would've loved to have the buildings that lined the Western Gateway Park be modern architectural masterpieces, or all designed by Starchitects. The early precedent could've been the Central Library. That would've really gotten some national notoriety and press going, but alas, our insurance companies are a tad too conservative to break the mold with something as bold as what you would see in Barcelona or Bilbao.

[Cyclonefan]

The library was actually designed by David Chipperfield, one of the worlds premier architects out of London. Other than the art center, its probably the next best building designed by a famous architect in the city, maybe iowa (although Chipperfield also did the Figge in Davenport).

[hawk61401]

Why can't Des Moines be as BOLD as Peoria??? That's why I am sticking these comments into this thread. The Y, or, the block it inhabits needs to be bold.

I went with friends yesterday to the Par-A-Dice Casino in Peoria. I had two surprises. I came home with $900 that I didn't have before I went. The 2nd surprise was the Peoria Riverfront/Riverwalk. People, I gotta tell ya. It makes Des Moines' look lame. It has a website: http://www.peoriariverfront.com/ It has restaurants and chain restaurants like Joe's Crab Shack, or, Hooter's if that's your particular taste.

East 2nd St and 4th St on the east side of the Des Moines River? That area with the 1960's urban renewal buildings? Peoria took a section of it's riverfront the same size and did this ...

[DMRyan]

You're an Illinois guy Hawk, so I'll ask you since you're probably more familiar. Are there other active downtown districts/neighborhoods in downtown Peoria or are all of their eggs in the same basket with virtually all amenities along the riverfront? It's been years since I've been there and I remember they're downtown looking a little rough around the edges, minus a few select pockets.

I'm looking at aerial photos of their riverfront and seeing a stand-alone suburban Hooter's with parking lots around it. I commend them for likely having a more active riverfront than Des Moines' right now, but I would still maintain our riverfront is more much urban in scale. Hopefully it too can attract additional uses adjacent to it that will liven it up, otherwise it'll always be just a place to get some exercise.

[hawk61401]

You're an Illinois guy Hawk, so I'll ask you since you're probably more familiar. Are there other active downtown districts/neighborhoods in downtown Peoria or are all of their eggs in the same basket with virtually all amenities along the riverfront? It's been years since I've been there and I remember they're downtown looking a little rough around the edges, minus a few select pockets.

My body is over here but my heart is in Des Moines. That's why I pile on the car miles because I am constantly coming home. I would say that most of their eggs have been put into the riverfront. I rarely get to Peoria. I don't like it - never cared for it. It still has the look and feel of being rough around the edges.

I was complimentary of their riverfront because unlike Des Moines, and as you said, it's more than just a place to get exercise. Yes, the Des Moines riverfront is "much more urban in scale." The Des Moines riverfront has two sides within close proximity because the Des Moines River isn't as wide as the Illinois River. One can traverse the two sides of the Des Moines riverfront on beautiful pedestrian bridges. That experience and attraction doesn't exist in Peoria. The east side of the riverfront in Peoria is too commercialized. For example, it has a Kohls and the kinds of things one can find in any suburb.

The Principal Riverwalk is coming to completion. The Des Moines Riverfront is just beginning to realize it's potential. I believe those one story buildings on East 2nd and 4th streets will be leveled someday to realize even more. But in the meantime, the Y is the part of the puzzle that I hope gets a perfect fit.

[Shumakerlevy]

Good news....PCS have voted to provide $1Million toward the demo of the old riverfront YMCA building to make room for redevlopement.

I believe the plan is to deliver the site cleared and green ready to build on. Let's hope for something smart and amazing to go up at this site.

Perfect!!!

[dogbo]

I know I’m being nit-picky here, but IMO, "perfect" would be demolition with intent to build immediately following. Not excited about having a big void here for any amount of time.

[urbanlawyer]

Agreed dogbo. I'm totally opposed to using tax dollars for demolition to make way for a vacant lot. Why not see what the market wants to do with the site first?

[dsmspence]

I'm with Dogbo and Urbanlawyer on this one. Let's all be real here and acknowledge that once this building comes down, we'll all be looking at an empty lot until 2020. If there's one thing that the Des Moines Metro area does NOT need, it's more "green space".