Move Next into city building

Foolish me -- I thought the city commission had finally decided to proceed with Next moving into the city owned YMCA building per the MOU agreement.

But no, the commission seems determined to consider any and all alternatives all over again. The commission should refer to my previous letter, laying out the reasons for moving Next into the city owned facility. Now, after many meetings, several hundred thousand tax dollars and much political handwringing, you have still not reached consensus? Seniors deserve better from the commission. Most members of the commission were on the commission when the property was purchased, and the MOU was agreed to. As you know, Next provides an outstanding array of services for seniors at the old but still functional Midvale school. The YMCA building does suffer from years of maintenance deferment, which reflects on the long suffering financial condition of the YMCA.

Cities in Michigan have specific statutory authority to fund senior service centers, but to my knowledge cities do not have authority to fund a YMCA. There are currently 38 municipal entities in Oakland county, providing senior services.

The decision regarding reuse of the building, versus demolition and rebuild, has continued to be discussed after the last commission discussion on this matter. The ad-hoc committee which recently met now seeks your guidance.

Again, your direction should be to move forward with Next moving into the city owned YMCA building per the MOU. The city has experience with rebuilding public buildings instead of tearing them down and rebuilding, including the City Hall and library. Granted these buildings have and do still have a strong architectural presence. However, one of our old buildings which clearly has less architectural character and was clearly in poor operational condition was the retired sanitary sewer treatment plant at Lincoln Hills golf course. Talk about a sow’s ear being turned into a silk purse. The BBAC is a splendid reuse of a building that houses an absolutely stunning center for the arts. I have personally overseen the renovation of an old building into a combined fire department/senior center in Lawrence, Kansas. I would also think that demolition of the YMCA building without Next concurrence would be prohibited by the MOU. 

The plan to reuse the old YMCA building can and will work. You have an excellent senior services provider in Next. Next is willing and capable of moving into the old YMCA building and making it work.

You have had the plan in front of you based on the MOU but you have spent 2.5 years discussing numerous other alternative ways to provide a senior center.  

The original proposal will work and will cost significantly less than a teardown and rebuild. The only thing it won’t be is as pretty as a new building. However, the true beauty of this building is what occurs inside the facility. I’ve worked with and overseen a fair number of senior centers, and I can honestly say none come close to the care, support, and yes, love that Next provides to the seniors population. 

To continue the commission discussion any further is in my opinion nothing short of “elder neglect.” Next needs to know you support them. The seniors need to know that they will have time to transition into the Y building so they can continue the social engagement they receive from Next  and which is so vital to their ongoing health.

Next needs to move forward and get a feel for what they need before spending more consultant dollars. Chris Braun is a strong leader and manager and will be able to manage the transition in terms of move-in and scheduling any pre move-in essential improvements. 

The long-term needs of the senior population can be a continued conversation in the community without the undo time pressure you are now constrained to.  

Don’t do what the school district has done when they broke their promise to provide space for our seniors. You recall the seniors were provided space in school facilities for years under the banner of “lifelong learning.“ The silent quid pro quo was the support the seniors provided the school district at the ballot box. This arrangement was certainly beneficial to the cities as well. The cities were relieved of supporting seniors without the exception of a modest annual contribution. And while I’m discussing the schools, the school district should be approached about one of the numerous swimming pools for community use under the community education program. The YMCA pool is the dog of the building and needs to be filled and turned into a multi-sport court.

The seniors are not feeling they are being supported, and the commission needs to openly express their support to this important population in the city. “Doing the right thing“ in this context is giving your strong support for Next to move into the city owned YMCA building under the MOU.  As Brad Host is fond of saying:  “Seniors have paid forward to the city over several decades.” It’s time the city commission returns the favor and provides the return on their investment. 

Thomas Markus

Former City Manager

City of Birmingham