Former YMCA / Brownfields Cleanup

Estimated Completion: 2026Former YMCA Building

Description of the Project

The original portion of the former YMCA was constructed in 1906. The pool addition area was completed in 1960. The site was utilized as a YMCA until May of 2010. From 2010 to 2020 the property was utilized by the Victory Center to provide transitional rental housing to men in the community. In August of 2020, the City became the owner of the site after the property became a County-held tax certificate due to non-payment of property taxes. The site was officially vacated by January 1, 2021.

The site has not been updated or properly cared for over the last decade and is currently a blighted property in the City's downtown. The building will need a good deal of upgrades to be functional and find new use. The site is currently contaminated with hazardous substances (asbestos and lead) which make it unsuitable for redevelopment without remediation. 

The City received an East Central Intergovernmental Association (ECIA) Brownfields Revolving Loan for $250,000, with up to $50,000 of the loan forgivable based on a City cost match of 25% and a loan for $400,000 with up to $200,000 in loan forgiveness. Project Restore YMCA would include asbestos and lead remediation as well as reuse planning to help prepare the building for redevelopment. The City will seek a developer to remodel and redevelop the property. The 1960's portion of the building could either be demolished or potentially reused as a covered parking area. The historic 1906 portion of the building could be remodeled and redeveloped, with commercial business on the first floor and residential units in the upper floors.

Planning Community Engagement:

On February 9, 2022, site revisioning flyers were circulated via email, the City's Choose Clinton Facebook page and the City website.

On February 22, 2022, the Clinton Herald published an article about a focus meeting and upcoming public meetings regarding the YMCA site revision plan and site cleanup.

On March 3, 2022, the Clinton Downtown Alliance focus meeting was conducted to update the downtown neighbors of the YMCA site on revisioning and to gather feedback from the public.

The final plan was presented to the public and the City Council in January 2023. 

The project will be completed in phases, the 1st phase is the separation of the 1906 building from the additions that were done during the 1960’s. The 2nd phase will be the remediation of contaminants from the 1906 building, and the final phase will be the demolition of the pool areas on the west side of the property

*The public meeting on the ABCA (Analysis of Brownfields Cleanup Alternatives) will be held in the Council Chambers of City Hall on Thursday, September 5, 2024 from 5:00 P.M. - 6:30 P.M. The meeting can also be watched live on the City's YouTube channel.*

Public meeting on the Grant application and ABCA (Analysis of Brownfields Cleanup Alternatives) was held during the Council Meeting on Tuesday, October 8, 2024. This meeting can also be viewed on the City’s YouTube channel.

The public is encouraged to provide any feedback to the Community Development Director throughout the course of the project. Comments on the application and ABCA will be accepted and reviewed through October 23, 2024, and then incorporated into the application.

Cleanup Project:

The project will be completed in phases, the 1st phase is the separation of the 1906 building from Building Addition B1 and a portion of the C1 building addition. The 2nd phase will be the remediation of contaminants from the 1906 building, and the final phase will be the demolition of the remaining building structures (B2, C2, C3, and a portion of C1) on the west side of the property. City local funds and the Brownfield RLF will fund the first two phases. The City was awarded an EPA Brownfield Cleanup Grant for the third and final phase.

Anticipated schedule for cleanup project:

  • Phase 1 (separation of Original Building from B1 & portion of C1): 1-5 months, weather permitting 
    • Phase 1 started on January 28, 2025 with was completed May 15, 2025
  • Phase 2 (Abatement of the original building): 6-9 months pending EPA and National Historic Preservation Office concurrence on structure
  • Phase 3 (RACM Demolition of B2, C2, C3 & portion of C1): start 2026

A press release was issued December 30, 2024 regarding Phase 1 of the project. 

Appraisal & Photos

Site Investigation Reports

  1. Asbestos and Lead Sampling and Analysis Plan - 2021 (PDF)
  2. DNR Determination on Environmental Assessment - 2022 (PDF)
  3. Draft Demolition Plans - Former YMCA Site (PDF) (added 07/01/2024)
  4. Health and Safety Plan - Impact7G - 05-17-2024 (PDF)
  5. Lead-Based Paint Disturbance Requirements - 08-19-2024 (PDF)
  6. Phase I Environmental Assessment - 2018 (PDF)
  7. Phase I Environmental Assessment - 2021 (PDF)
  8. Phase II Environmental Assessment - 2022 (PDF)
  9. Supplemental Asbestos and Lead Report (PDF)
  10. YMCA Moisture and Microbial Investigation Report - Terracon - 09-28-2022 (PDF)
  11. YMCA Structural Report - Select Structural Engineering - 10-20-2022 (PDF)
  12. 09-30-2024 IMEG Letter Building West of Original Building Unsafe Structure (PDF)
  13. Pool Building Complex Report - October 2024 (PDF)
  14. Archaeological Assessment Report - July 2025 (PDF)

Cleanup Plans & Standards Used

Analysis of Brownfields Cleanup Alternatives

Site Quality Assurance Project Plan

Responses to Public Comments

 Verification of Cleanup Completion Document

Site to remain until September 30, 2030.