Jackson YMCA Seeks to Wrap Up Fundraising, Releases Updated Schematic Design of Planned New Y

(December 16, 2021 10:42 AM) The Jackson YMCA announced today they are nearing the end of the capital campaign with nearly $23 million raised toward the $25 million goal. The Y is seeking support to wrap up the campaign for a planned new YMCA in downtown Jackson. Y volunteers are working to secure contributions and move forward on work for the new healthy living campus.

“The outpouring of support from individuals, families, businesses, organizations and foundations for this once-in-a-generation investment opportunity is truly inspiring” said Jackson YMCA CEO Shawna Tello. “The dollar amount raised is the largest-ever for a YMCA in Michigan and stands as a testament to our donor’s generosity and commitment to our community. Every dollar raised matters, and every dollar is an investment in the future of Jackson.”

The Jackson YMCA also announced a revised construction and re-use plan, combining new building construction with renovation and reconfiguration of the existing facility.  Previously announced plans called for the demolition of the current facility following a “from the ground up” build of a new building. 

The revision of the plan is a result of several factors, primarily skyrocketing costs due to the pandemic.

The YMCA’s campaign leaders and volunteers are working with construction manager Granger Construction Co., architect/engineer Bergmann and Gro Development, a national leader in the development, design, and management of YMCAs.

Granger Senior Project Manager Jeff Havranek noted the cost per square foot to build an all-new facility has increased approximately 17 percent since the beginning of the pandemic due to issues regarding equipment, labor and the supply chain.

In response to rising costs and other challenges, local YMCA leadership and the Y’s contracted experts have spent the fall months modeling multiple scenarios for the redevelopment of the Jackson YMCA. Their efforts have focused on:

• Adaptive re-use to preserve valuable existing space and lower construction costs
• Project scope to maintain current programs while adding new services
• Cost monitoring of the current market, which includes increased materials costs and scarcity of supplies and labor to ensure that the Y absorbs no long-term debt
• Return on Investment (ROI) for membership, programs, collaboration, and donors

To advance the YMCA’s campaign objectives and in response to insight gained, Y leadership is moving forward with a revised construction and re-use plan. The new Jackson YMCA will combine contemporary design and new construction with components of the existing building, reconfigured and retrofitted to meet the needs of an ever-broadening cross-section of the community.

The new Y will include previously announced partner space, approximately 6,500 square feet for Henry Ford Allegiance Health and 1,000 square feet for Big Brothers Big Sisters. The facility, including new additions and adaptive reuse, will offer members, program participants, partners, and guests over 70,000 square feet of useable space. In its current configuration, the YMCA offers roughly 66,000 square feet to members and patrons.

“With two synergistic community organizations at the new Y, the Jackson YMCA is on the leading edge of community agencies co-locating and collaborating at one convenient location,” said Gro President and CEO Rod Grozier, who has worked with almost 400 YMCAs nationwide.

Work continues with the final re-design and re-bidding process to regional subcontractors, and final and formal bidding is set to wrap up in early 2022. Once the design is finalized and subcontractors are chosen, site work and construction on the new Y will be scheduled to begin around spring 2022.

“There is a great deal of enthusiasm and excitement about the programs, services and opportunities that will come from a new Y in downtown Jackson.” Tello said. “The Y is humbled by the support we have received. Because of our generous donors and their investment, our new Y and our partners will help the YMCA transform the health and well-being of our community and, without long-term debt, be sustainable for generations to come.”