Downtown YMCA

[fostprei]

Well for a big difference, the jail doors are locked and they can't get outside when it's criminals. I think calling these guys "down on their luck" is putting it lightly, the eastside protestors would certainly agree with that.

I wish programs to help these men get back on their feet would work so well that this wouldn't be an issue, unfortunately that is unrealistic.

I like the intentions of the city here but I'm worried of the backlash it will have on this quietly blossoming section of downtown.

[hawk61401]

Are everyone's concerns equal or do the concerns of Massman and the current and potential downtown residents mean more than the concerns of Dean Ave. residents? Is it alright for the city to crap all over the east side if it means a stronger core?

Why are you playing the east side to be the victim? It's part of Des Moines. If the core is healthy and generating thousands of new jobs and millions of additional tax revenue, the east side benefits too. We can't have every self interest of every neighborhood take precedent over what is best for Des Moines and it's hundreds of thousands of residents.

First, didn't you call this a "win-win" earlier, Hawk? Not only that, but you chided Hockensmith for wanting to delay the project and study it further

Since that time I have had two family members move downtown. Because of them, I have a better understanding of the benefits and their concerns because of their experiences downtown.

[Mastermind]

I don't think this will have any impact on Nationwide what so ever. The homeless shelter is currently 3 blocks away.

[DMRyan]

And that Churches United Homless Shelter is still proposed to be moved up around Keo Way in far NW downtown too. Nobody wants this use near them, but the areas that these facilities can locate in are becoming scarce if you take the social justice factor in effect. You can't stick this in an industrial area and expect it to be the best outcome for the "residents". If this new YMCA transitional housing facility can be managed well, it can work. And that probably means managing it better than the current riverfront location. It's not in as prominently of viewed location as the current digs and I doubt there will be much more of an impact on the area than the Churches United Shelter currently has.

[Mastermind]

Maybe they can build a park or recreation area outside on the south side with fencing. My guess is there will be security cameras still in place that the management can also utilize.

[SharpHawkeye]

Are everyone's concerns equal or do the concerns of Massman and the current and potential downtown residents mean more than the concerns of Dean Ave. residents? Is it alright for the city to crap all over the east side if it means a stronger core?

Why are you playing the east side to be the victim? It's part of Des Moines. If the core is healthy and generating thousands of new jobs and millions of additional tax revenue, the east side benefits too. We can't have every self interest of every neighborhood take precedent over what is best for Des Moines and it's hundreds of thousands of residents.

Would that argument satisfy you if the city knocked on your door and told you they were going to build this facility next to your house?

[GoVerticalDSM]

I'd be mad as hell too if I spent all that money and they wanted to put a bunch of ne'er do wells next to my investment. If they're mentally ill, they should be in an institution. But it is not the city's job to find them a job and get their life together, it's their own responsibility.

[SpinningBird]

Puting these guys next to an elementary school on the east side is not the right thing to do, but I also dont believe putting them in an old jail in the core is good either. I am not sure there is a win-win here as it is a touchy subject where ever you put them. I would rather the city work on finding them jobs or building their lives more so we dont have to house them. I understand those efforts may already be underway, but I am not familiar with them.

what on earth makes you think that programs are not already in place? Visit the YMCA, talk to Scott Harris or anyone working down there, they'll tell you about dozens and dozens of success stories due to the YMCA. There is a strict no-alcohol policy at the YMCA...did you know that?

Without question there are bad people in this town, but there are also many unlucky people and many others "just like you and me" that have used bad judgement at inopportune times...the downtown YMCA caters to all of them. There's no right or wrong answer to relocate this facility...I don't think anyone's arguing that prime riverfront property at the very front door of the City is a bad place, though.

[hawk61401]

Why are you playing the east side to be the victim? It's part of Des Moines. If the core is healthy and generating thousands of new jobs and millions of additional tax revenue, the east side benefits too. We can't have every self interest of every neighborhood take precedent over what is best for Des Moines and it's hundreds of thousands of residents.

Would that argument satisfy you if the city knocked on your door and told you they were going to build this facility next to your house?[

In the early 1990's, five homeless people froze to death on the streets of Des Moines. Something that tragic should never happen in our city. We are better than that. So, to give you a short, John McCain style answer .. yes ...and if ... the facility is architecturally pleasing, daily activities are structured, security concerns are met, no loitering, goals for independent living within a matter of months, no abuse of the system, a strict code of conduct.

[DMRyan]

It looks like the downtown YMCA is a step closer towards moving their transitional housing program into the soon to be former interim jail site with the County approving a letter of intent to move forward today. It doesn't appear to be finalized, but the YMCA's time is numbered with the company insuring the current downtown YMCA saying the expensive fire safety improvements either need to be installed or they need to vacate the building if they want to continue to be insured. I sure hope there are tangible plans to get a redevelopment of this site moving by this time next year because it would be a blow to development efforts on the riverfront if we had two prominent vacant sites down there sitting dark and falling apart (YMCA and old central library).

[Mastermind]

According to their website 360 Architechture is currently working on plans for a new mixed use facility for the YMCA.

[DMRyan]

I wonder if this project is still realistically on the burner. It seemed as if a hotel and condo units were a big part of this development. Now may not be the time for this development to become reality but I hope LADCO Development and the other forces behind this don't drop the idea anytime soon.

[DMRyan]

Looks like the downtown YMCA board has chosen to tear down the old Polk County interim jail site and build a brand new $9 million dollar facility for transitional housing. A recent Register article states they hope to be under construction by late this fall. I wonder if this came about due to the ability to gain additional federal funding for a more expensive rebuild project.

[wmjindsm]

Looks like the razing of the Interim jail has begun...

http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/ ... jail-site/

Looks like the downtown YMCA board has chosen to tear down the old Polk County interim jail site and build a brand new $9 million dollar facility for transitional housing. A recent Register article states they hope to be under construction by late this fall. I wonder if this came about due to the ability to gain additional federal funding for a more expensive rebuild project.

[DMRyan]

I think that underneath the 1990's renovated facade of this old interim jail is a historic brick warehouse. Not that this unattractive hulk of a building will be missed, but it will definitely appear different heading over the SW 9th Street viaduct and not seeing this building there any longer. I personally don't like the design of the new YMCA Transitional Housing Development, but I think it will be slightly more pleasing to the eye than what was there before.

I have to wonder what the immediate development prospects are for SW downtown when this building and now a major homeless shelter will be built within blocks of each other. Obviously, there has to be at least one side of downtown where these uses will go, but will this uses help the cause in the area near the two viaducts to remain as surface parking lots and scantly used warehouse buildings?

[DMRyan]

This building is almost all the way down now. I never took any photos of it because it was always such a normal looking building with no architectural features left.

Here is all I could come up with off the internet to show what this building once looked like:

[wmjindsm]

Kinda an updated article on the new transition housing including a rendering of the new building.

Picture:
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/p ... ofile=1029

Article:
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/articl ... l-building

[hawk61401]

This is one of those ... everyone comes up a winner. The residents of the YMCA will have a new residential building. The Riverfront YMCA property will be developed into something befitting an improved riverfront and The Principal Riverwalk.

[Mastermind]

Yep, now the residents will also have their own enclosed courtyard.

[hawk61401]

Yep, now the residents will also have their own enclosed courtyard.

Yep, that's pretty standard. Looks like Des Moines is taking cues from what other cities are doing.

Fire regulations that go into effect in 2010 required the Tulsa YMCA to invest heavily in renovations if it continued to house people. The two projects mirror each other in many ways. This past January, residents moved out of the downtown YMCA in Tulsa and into a new building. The cost for Des Moines: 9.8 million. The cost for Tulsa: 9.7 million. Each will have workout rooms, tv lounge area, dining room, library, computer lab, and an enclosed courtyard.

[DMRyan]

There's no denying the better digs that this will provide for its residents, but I have concerns about this design and building materials really not being up to par with a downtown caliber project. I didn't expect all the bells and whistles on such a limited budget, but this is definitely one project that I worry how architecturally dated it will look once built. Between this proposal and new CISS Homeless Shelter, there will be a concentration of a very vulnerable popluation (to put it politely) in the SW portion of downtown. I do like the YMCA's consideration of giving its residents more privacy with the proposed courtyard than they have in their "outdoor space" they currently have at the riverfront YMCA.

[Young DSM Social Club]

While I think both projects are needed, I do not think the City did this area any favors by putting them so close together. It will certainly deter people from investing in the area. They really should have put on project here and the other on the opposite side of downtown.

[MusicMan]

I completely disagree. These services need to be in the downtown area where they can best serve the community. Both will be brand new buildings and good neighbors to area businesses. The populations served are much different than the stereotyped drunken deadbeat. These are very well managed organizations whose new building are a welcomed addition to downtown and to better serving those in need.

[Young DSM Social Club]

But why do they need to be right next to each other? Why couldnt one be in this area and the other on the opposite side of downtown?

Clearly, nobody in charge felt that was a negative since the other shelter WAS going to do this until they were sued.

[dogbo]

I'm with Young DM on this one. When you're talking about future development (especially in a city our size), one of the biggest considerations is perceived safety of an area (note, I said perceived). I really hope these two establishments don't end up retarding the potentially growth of this area….or for that matter, the Riverpoint West/Gray's Landing area.

[DMRyan]

Here's the rendering of this project from the link wmjindsm posted above. I'll withold my comments on the design.

[hawk61401]

Here's the rendering of this project from the link wmjindsm posted above. I'll withold my comments on the design.

I won't. It's a missed opportunity and a disappointment. I didn't expect an architectural marvel, but ...
It would be a compliment to say that it looks like the YMCA on the river chopped down to three stories. No, it looks worse. I've seen better looking army barracks. It's a block long, 3 story rectangle with little boxy windows.

Smith Metzger makes the contrast very clear on their website. ( I can't even find the Y rendering on their site) If you are rich and it's a private residence, you get this: http://www.smithmetzger.com/residential/ If it's residential housing in downtown Des Moines, you get institutional!

They coulda/shoulda at least considered future development for the area. Development is drawn to areas that have attractive buildings.

[Keepgrowingdsm]

To me it looks like R&R had a say in this. They are always building square boxes with windows and calling it a quality Class A building. Too bad it didn't take on the same style as the Science Center.

[Mastermind]

I think you guys are hoping for alot IMO. This serves its purpose, and opens up the riverfront for development.

[DMRyan]

Here is all that remains of the old jail annex. This looked to be a pretty tough building to take down judging by the amount of time that's been spent on it.