[Ang]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2011/0...15621600945.txt

Park official: Dept. has strong impact here

By Matt Field
Staff Writer
Published: Friday, February 18, 2011 5:07 PM CST
MICHIGAN CITY — Far more people visited Washington Park Zoo in 2010 than in the preceding year, fatalities and other incidents rose on the city’s beachfront and park concession stands generally did well.

Parks & Recreation Department Superintendent Jan Orlich shared those facts and others with the Common Council on Tuesday, presenting the 2010 Annual Report. In addition to giving a statistical snapshot of park activities, Orlich pitched the department’s importance to the city.

As city officials consider accepting Centier Bank’s offer of the defunct Michigan City Family YMCA, Orlich said the department provides recreation, jobs and tourism dollars to the city.

“The Michigan City park department holds an essential position within this community, we are an essential service,” she said. “We will continue to expand programming as the needs to the community evolve.”

In addition to injecting dollars into the economy through festivals and other events, Orlich touted the department’s employment numbers, saying it “is the largest employer of seasonal hiring than any other department or business in Michigan City.”

Washington Park Zoo’s attendance figures were up 14,527 people, compared to 2009, to 74,554 in 2010.

There were 43 beach incidents in 2010, including cases where people were rescued, needed medical assistance, went missing or died, compared to 36 in 2009. The summer season saw two drownings on a day with heavy currents.

Out of the six concessions mentioned in the report, five ended 2010 with a profit. The concession at the new Splash Park lost money.

What I get out of this is the Park Dept saying, "We bring all this money into the local economy, we don't deserve a run-down dilapidated Ol' YMCA--we deserve something shiney and new!"

[lovethiscity]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2011/0...15621600945.txt
What I get out of this is the Park Dept saying, "We bring all this money into the local economy, we don't deserve a run-down dilapidated Ol' YMCA--we deserve something shiney and new!"

Ang, it was the sales pitch for the Patriot Park expansion, approved later that night was the engineering phase of the 2 million dollar plus new ball fields.

[Southsider2k12]

http://heraldargus.com/articles/2011/08/11...17585796608.txt

Former YMCA could become community center

By Tim Moran
Staff Writer
Published: Thursday, August 11, 2011 5:06 PM CDT
MICHIGAN CITY — The city is exploring the idea of transforming the former Michigan City Family YMCA, 1001 E. Coolspring Ave., into a community center.

The property has belonged to Centier Bank since 2007 when the YMCA could no longer financially sustain operations. The bank now has offered to donate the building to the city.

Mayor Chuck Oberlie released a letter, along with background documents regarding the possible community center, to City Council members last week. The package included a report from the city engineer and various inspectors on the building’s condition and a proposed operating budget and programming plans if the purchase is approved.

The documents indicate an estimated startup cost of $228,090, with a yearly operating budget set at $508,065, which would include more than $300,000 in expenses to cover the pay for 20 employees.

“If you could fix the building for a couple million, it could become an asset,” Oberlie said.

To offset some of the operating costs, membership dues would charge adult Michigan City residents $360 a year and non-residents up to $480 a year.

But before any operating plan can be put in place, the building has to be repaired after being vacant for the last three to four years.

In a letter sent from Tonn & Blank Construction LLC to Jeffrey Katz, Michigan City Park board attorney, the total budget for repair work was estimated at $1.06 million.

“To construct a new building similar to the existing YMCA would cost a minimum of $7 to $8 million, plus the cost of purchasing a site to accommodate a building of this size,” wrote Joe Coar, Tonn & Blank vice president of operations.

“You could spend up to $2 million and still justify the tremendous savings to our community.”

An inspection of the building performed in March indicated lack of maintenance requiring significant repairs. City engineer Boyd Phelps and numerous inspectors said the entire built-up roof system requires removal and replacement, 12 of the 14 rooftop units need to be replaced and “all pool electrical equipment that remains must be replaced due to terminal damage by liquid and chlorine vapor corrosion.”

If repairs are made and the building is put back in use, the Michigan City Park Department will offer programming, which would include swim lessons, after-school programming and youth sports camps, among other activities.

In Oberlie’s letter to council members, he said it is not his intent to include any of the items on the 2012 budget, but is submitting the information “so an informed decision can be made on the offer amongst the Park Board, administration and City Council.”

Oberlie said Wednesday the next step is for Council President Marc Espar to form a committee, which would include a member from the city council and park department.

An appropriation out of the Riverboat fund then would be initiated by Oberlie, pending approval from the council and park board.

If the decision is made to pursue to endeavor, Oberlie would suggest the city solicit a request for qualifications for a design-build approach to renovating the building.

“Rather than hiring an engineer, it would make more sense to receive qualifications from contractors who have internal design departments,” he said.

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2011/1...b4575029447.txt

Public hearing on YMCA set

Published: Saturday, October 22, 2011 5:08 PM CDT
MICHIGAN CITY — A public hearing set by the Recreational Expansion Committee on potential uses of the former Michigan City Family YMCA building is at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, at City Hall.

Public comments will be accepted, while written comments may be sent to committee chairman Phil Jankowski, c/o the City Clerk’s office, 100 E. Michigan Blvd.

The former YMCA on Coolspring Avenue has belonged to Centier Bank since 2007, but it has offered to donate the building to the city as a gift.

Preliminary studies have been completed on the potential yearly operating costs associated with transforming the building into a community center.

*
Anyone unable to attend who would like more information should contact the City Clerk’s office at galen@emichigancity.com or call 873-1410.

[taxthedeer]

YMCA building and property is going on the auction block at 4PM Saturday July 28th. It can be all yours for an opening bid is $10,000 plus $3,000 buyers premium fee.

http://www.williamsauction.com/mobile/prop....aspx?id=332100

[Southsider2k12]

YMCA building and property is going on the auction block at 4PM Saturday July 28th. It can be all yours for an opening bid is $10,000 plus $3,000 buyers premium fee.

http://www.williamsauction.com/mobile/prop....aspx?id=332100

The place might not be worth that anymore.

[taxthedeer]

The place might not be worth that anymore.

The property might be worth it. The building needs to be demolished.

[Southsider2k12]

The property might be worth it. The building needs to be demolished.

Yeah, but you have to subtract whatever demolision and excavation costs are from whatever you pay.

[taxthedeer]

Yeah, but you have to subtract whatever demolision and excavation costs are from whatever you pay.

Anybody aware of any potential buyers?

[taxthedeer]

You need to sign a release if you want to view the property on Sunday. Here's what is states on the auction website:

Mold Disclosure. The Seller has been notified that this Property has damage due to moisture from water and/or humidity. Buyer acknowledges and understands that property herein may pose a health hazard through exposure to mold or airborne contaminants. Buyer agrees to accept the Property as-is, where-is with no warranties of remediation. Buyer agrees to comply with any and all remediation efforts, certifications, inspections, and debris removal that may be required therein at Buyer's expense.

[taxthedeer]

According to the advertisement on the auction companies website that a buyers premium of up to $3,000 will be charged to the successful bidder.

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2012/0...e6261863077.txt

Former YMCA to be auctioned after city backs away

By Lois Tomaszewski
Staff Writer
Published: Thursday, July 26, 2012 5:07 PM CDT
MICHIGAN CITY — The former YMCA building at 1001 E. Coolspring Ave. is up for auction at 4 p.m. Saturday, eight months after city officials looked at the possibility of rehabing the building into a community center.

The 45,000 square foot brick and concrete block building is owned by Centier Bank and is being auctioned after attempts to sell the building were unsuccessful. In November, Michigan City Council president Marc Espar appointed the Recreation Expansion Committee to look into the possibility of the city taking ownership and creating a community center.

“It’s my understanding that the building was offered to the city as a donation,” Espar said. Members of the Select Committee looking into the possibilities appointed by Espar took no action.

Michigan City Parks and Recreation Board attorney Jeffrey Katz said resolutions were approved by the Park Board in February and April 2011 acknowledging the donation and turning over the decision to the Common Council. Katz said it was then up to the council to accept the donation and commit to authorize funding of the cost of ownership and operation of the property.

Councilwoman Pat Boy served on the council’s committee, along with Richard Murphy and former councilman Phil Jankowski who served as chairman.

“The committee’s decision was to make no recommendation,” Boy said, “not a recommendation of no.”

At a workshop held in at city hall in November on the building, public comments showed support for preserving the pool. Support was also shown for using a portion of the building for offices and a suggestion to make a portion of the building into an indoor skate park, according to the report in the News-Dispatch.

“From all reports on the building, it needed extensive repairs and remodeling, and then we would need to come up with funds to pay for its use in the future,” Boy said. “Although the building had possibilities, the cost looked to be much too high for repairs and maintenance as well as for added programming. Ideas to make it a community center sounded good, but that would also require funds to operate, and the very people we needed to serve would not be able to afford it if we charged a user fee or membership. There were too many ‘ifs’ involved,” she said.

The auction will be held onsite. The nominal opening bid is $10,000. Williams and Williams is in charge of the auction. For more information, call (918) 362-6561.

[Southsider2k12]

If the City wasn't willing to take it for free, it has to be in horrible shape. With all of the mold and problems, even a tear down and restart won't be cheap.

[taxthedeer]

If the City wasn't willing to take it for free, it has to be in horrible shape. With all of the mold and problems, even a tear down and restart won't be cheap.

I guess it depends on what is inside that can salvaged when torn down. Scrap metal is paying over $300.00 a ton in some places. Once the building is razed there is nearly 5 acres of land in the center of town with all the city amenities. If there is a profit to be made, somebody is going to jump on it.

[Southsider2k12]

I guess it depends on what is inside that can salvaged when torn down. Scrap metal is paying over $300.00 a ton in some places. Once the building is razed there is nearly 5 acres of land in the center of town with all the city amenities. If there is a profit to be made, somebody is going to jump on it.

But to balance that out, there is also going to tons of mold, not to mention possibly asbestos.

[taxthedeer]

But to balance that out, there is also going to tons of mold, not to mention possibly asbestos.

Developers in other Cities won't hesitate in taking down an old worn out outdated sturcture and building something bigger and better in it's place. Las Vegas is a prime example.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRaNwPGcQcM...;feature=fvwrel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmZJc68zyAA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2r4nXRmkIJU

[Southsider2k12]

Developers in other Cities won't hesitate in taking down an old worn out outdated sturcture and building something bigger and better in it's place. Las Vegas is a prime example.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRaNwPGcQcM...;feature=fvwrel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmZJc68zyAA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2r4nXRmkIJU

In Las Vegas real estate has value. In south central Michigan City, not so much.

[j4katz]

As I own approximately 12 acres surrounding the old YMCA, I have a fairly good understanding of the value of the property. The cost to demolish the structure and dispose of the debris is approximately $150,000 (I do not know salvage value of the scrap). As vacant real estate, (currently zoned single family residence) it is worth at most approximately $50,000 ($10,000 per acre).

I have inspected the building and it is structurally sound. Mold remediation will be necessary. It needs a new roof, HVAC, plumbing and electrical upgrades as well as renovations to bring the building into compliance with ADA. The pool does not appear to have any cracks but the filtration system needs to be replaced. In my opinion, the renovation cost is approximately One Million - One and 1/2 Million Dollars. The cost to build it new would be close to 10 Million Dollars.

[taxthedeer]

As I own approximately 12 acres surrounding the old YMCA, I have a fairly good understanding of the value of the property. The cost to demolish the structure and dispose of the debris is approximately $150,000 (I do not know salvage value of the scrap). As vacant real estate, (currently zoned single family residence) it is worth at most approximately $50,000 ($10,000 per acre).

I have inspected the building and it is structurally sound. Mold remediation will be necessary. It needs a new roof, HVAC, plumbing and electrical upgrades as well as renovations to bring the building into compliance with ADA. The pool does not appear to have any cracks but the filtration system needs to be replaced. In my opinion, the renovation cost is approximately One Million - One and 1/2 Million Dollars. The cost to build it new would be close to 10 Million Dollars.

Did the property sell?

[Southsider2k12]

As I own approximately 12 acres surrounding the old YMCA, I have a fairly good understanding of the value of the property. The cost to demolish the structure and dispose of the debris is approximately $150,000 (I do not know salvage value of the scrap). As vacant real estate, (currently zoned single family residence) it is worth at most approximately $50,000 ($10,000 per acre).

I have inspected the building and it is structurally sound. Mold remediation will be necessary. It needs a new roof, HVAC, plumbing and electrical upgrades as well as renovations to bring the building into compliance with ADA. The pool does not appear to have any cracks but the filtration system needs to be replaced. In my opinion, the renovation cost is approximately One Million - One and 1/2 Million Dollars. The cost to build it new would be close to 10 Million Dollars.

We estimated a million dollars in repairs in 2007.

[j4katz]

Did the property sell?

I did not attend the auction, but I doubt that it sold for much more than the minimum bid. Unless you intend to use the building, the cost to remove far exceeds the value of the property.