Comments on: Park Cities YMCA Receives Council’s Approval

By: Bill Woodall

Bill Woodall — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 17:09:59 +0000

I grew up on Shannon Lane very close to the Y and some of my greatest memories are there, from learning to swim in the pool, playing t-ball on the fields, walking by everyday on my way home from Bradfield and stopping to get a slushy with my friends, working on various eagle scout projects there, I’m happy there is a plan to update the facility.

When I came home from serving in the Marine Corps in Afghanistan I noticed that the majority of the Park Cities had a major face lift, I barely recognized the whole city, but not the old Y. Except for a new sign it seemed untouched.

In my life I’ve noticed that change seems to ruffle feathers and this issue seems to be a passionate one, I’m glad a decision was made and lacking a more elaborate response think that as a whole the plan will continue to benefit the community greatly.

Hopefully those who disagree with the outcome can agree that the Y is a great part of our community and it is important to maintain those organizations that bring us together.

By: jb

jb — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 23:09:18 +0000

I agree with Pete Foster.

If you choose to purchase a home near a busy street like Preston or Mockingbird, or near a busy institution like SMU, then yes, you will be at higher risk of a “commercial development” expanding or locating near you.

By: PC Observer

PC Observer — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 00:33:53 +0000

I wholeheartedly agree with Pete Foster.

By: Another Mother

Another Mother — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 18:43:07 +0000

I wholeheartedly agree with Pete Foster.

By: Avid Reader

Avid Reader — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 16:49:36 +0000

The council massively caved. They got sick of dealing with the two sides and figured they could just slide this through and move on down the road. They have done it before and they will do it again. The only reason they haven’t caved on the Chase building is because of their animosity towards the actual owner of the building.

By: bm

bm — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 00:29:40 +0000

Up next “the old Chase Bank building”

By: Pete Foster

Pete Foster — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 23:28:44 +0000

One last point. While the Park Cities Y is certainly part of the Metropolitan YMCA, ours is a rather unique branch. Our Y is really the people around you in the community. While there is a professional staff at the building, many of the jobs there are done by parents and neighbors who volunteer there. The PC-Y Adivsory Board really has a lot of input into this Y. There must be literally hundreds of Dads and Moms that run the sports program and are coaches, dozens of parents who are the Big Chiefs of there Adventure (Indian) Guide groups, hundreds of neighbors who participate in the Partners Campaign and probably many more that I can’t even think of right now. My point is that this isn’t some big company that asked the community government to build this building, it’s US!. Just look at who has been working on the committee to try to build this new facility – almost all local folks. Heck, just look at who has showed up at the City Council meetings to ask for this facility – local folks who really give a darn about our community. This isn’t Walmart, and this isn’t a way to make a gazillion more dollars for some faceless shareholders. This new facility is a way for the Y to serve US better…So enought about the Y being some evil “thing”, you guys. It is US. We -the UP and HP community – that asked our city leaders to build this new facility.
After listening to the Y’s “neighbors” and reading some of the comments here, I’d like to echo Councilmember Bob Begert’s words as if he turned his head to the other side of the room. “I hope you take it to heart that these folks over here want you to be a better neighbor.” Time for the “No, birds” to be good neighbors to the many, many community members that make up the Park City YMCA.

By: Pete Foster

Pete Foster — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 20:27:19 +0000

After living in University Park for almost 25 years, I’m glad that this matter has come to something of a resolution. I also have to admit I’m glad it was resolved in the way that it was. Our Y is one of our communities’ treasures. It serves many, many thousands of our citizens and thousands of our kids. So many families over the years have benefited from this institution that the good it’s done can’t even begin to be measured. From campouts in Indian Guides and Princesses, to soccer, football, softball, basketball, track and basketball for our kids, to the Champs programs for our handicapped citizens, to the rehab programs for the schools, to the seniors programs including Aquatics, to the swimming, CPR and first aid programs – and I’m just getting going – the Y has been our community center for nearly 80 years.
So the Council decided for the good of the vast majority of our citizens. But the neighborhood will be vastly improved in several ways. First, the biggest complaint of the neighbors, the parking and traffic will be largely eliminated thanks to the million dollar underground parking facility the Y has proposed. You could double the activity at the Y and the traffic problem would still be eliminated thanks to this investment. Second, the auto break-ins that make up the crime in the neighborhood will be eliminated. I can’t imagine many folks breaking into a car in the new underground parking facility – there will be no escape for a robber. Finally, while the Y is a landmark, it’s gotten a bit long in the tooth, and the new facility will improve the looks of the neighborhood while keeping the character of the old building.
So while there are two sides to every story, I believe the Council served the greater good in this case, and, my hat is off to them for doing so.

By: Super Scot

Super Scot — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 16:24:20 +0000

So the council lets the Y get away with tricks that any other developer could not. An extra 10% accessory space below ground frees up 10% more space above ground that will allow the Y to add programming and generate more traffic. Councilman Clark: You caved and we do notice the difference.

By: bm

bm — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 23:58:21 +0000

Why don’t anon & Love my Neighbors run for city council?