‘It’s iconic’: Des Plaines officials celebrate plan to repurpose former YMCA facility

A multimillion-dollar plan to repurpose an old YMCA building in Des Plaines that’s become an eyesore since its closure six years ago is being celebrated by city officials and their soon-to-be partners in the project.

The city council on Monday unanimously voted to purchase the former Lattof YMCA, 300 E. Northwest Hwy., from the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago for $1.85 million. The contract should close this summer.

The council then approved — again, unanimously — the preliminary terms of a deal with subsidiaries of the Mount Prospect-based Nicholas Family of Companies to redevelop the roughly 4-acre site into a community athletic facility with a bar, restaurant and store.

The conglomerate has experience developing and running such operations, including the Nicholas Sportsplex in Mount Prospect and the Rosemont Ice Arena.

Basketball, pickleball and paddle tennis courts are among the planned athletic amenities. A fitness area with weightlifting equipment, a walking track and a Pilates studio are envisioned, too, as are attractions for golfers.

The former YMCA’s once-popular swimming pools will be filled in, however.

Construction could start this fall, documents indicate. City officials and the developers intend to open the new facility by early September 2027.

The project is expected to cost about $22 million. That sum includes the city’s purchase price.

Under the proposed terms of the development deal, the city will finance 90% of the cost by lending the Nicholas Family of Companies up to $19.8 million. The companies will put up the remaining $2.2 million.

That loan, to be paid off over 20 years, will generate more than $5 million in interest payments for the city.

Under the proposed deal, the city would transfer the property to the companies when construction is complete. At that point, the site will serve as collateral for the loan, said Jeff Rogers, the city’s community and economic development director.

The developers will be responsible for all taxes associated with the property. The site has generated no property taxes for decades because the YMCA is a nonprofit organization, Rogers said.

As an incentive, the city council intends to declare the property blighted and to support a request from the developers to the Cook County Board to reduce the property’s tax assessment rate for 12 years.

During Monday’s discussion, Mayor Andrew Goczkowski and several city council members shared memories of working at the YMCA or enjoying the facility as members.

Sixth Ward Alderman Mark Walsten said he’s glad the 90,000-square-foot building isn’t going to be torn down. “It’s iconic,” he said.

The Nicholas Family of Companies was represented Monday by President Chris Coleman, CFO Gina Bertolini and one of her brothers, construction manager Tony Papanicholas. The siblings talked about the time they spent at the Lattof YMCA as kids and their shared desire to bring it back to life.

“We were there seven days a week, four to five hours a day,” Papanicholas said. “It’s a very special place to us. We would love to see it come back online.”

Bertolini echoed her brother’s sentiments.

“We are very excited about the opportunity before us,” she said.