Public Meeting Regarding Former YMCA Property

POUGHKEEPSIE – City of Poughkeepsie officials have set a second public meeting regarding possible future uses for the former Dutchess YMCA property.

The meeting will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday June 26 at the Christ Episcopal Church, 20 Carroll St. in Poughkeepsie.

The city took ownership of the property earlier this year and has released a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) for the property. The more than 3-acre site – located at 35 Montgomery Street – is situated just south of Downtown Poughkeepsie and near Routes 44/55 and 9. The former YMCA building has been vacant since the YMCA closed its doors in 2009.

The RFEI is intended to solicit ideas that will yield significant community benefit, such as economic development, social and neighborhood cohesion and/or the creation of facilities serving youth and young adults.

The city’s first public meeting on this issue was held at the Family Partnership Center in May and was attended by about 80 people.

City of Poughkeepsie Mayor Rob Rolison said, “We heard about 90 minutes of comments at the first meeting. It’s important to continue this discussion and also give those who perhaps could not make the first meeting a chance to be heard.”

The city also has extended the submission date for proposals to 3 p.m. Monday August 5.
Questions from potential developers must be submitted in writing via mail, e-mail or fax by 4 p.m. Monday July 15.

The RFEI may lead to a Request for Proposals (RFP) process that may result in an award of a preferred developer to move the project forward and to fruition. Public-private partnerships, including with the City of Poughkeepsie, are possible.

Details about the project can be found at http://cityofpoughkeepsie.com/35montgomerystreet
For more information contact:
Community Engagement Office: 845-451-4241
John Penney- jpenney@cityofpoughkeepsie.com