TAMPA, FLA. (May 31, 2023) – New YMCA Will More Than Double Current Central City Y
On behalf of the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA, Ellison Development filed plans this morning for a new 6.20-acre mixed use development in Tampa Heights. The proposed development will include a new 110,000-square foot YMCA, more than 20,000 square feet of curated green space, a 200-room luxury-lifestyle hotel, office and retail space, and residential units. Partially located within the Tampa Heights Historic District the prospective development consists of 477 multi-family units of which at least 10% will be set aside for affordable housing. Plans call for 184,000 square feet of office space and 100,000 square feet of retail, of which a portion will be dedicated for small, minority-owned businesses.
According to YMCA President and CEO Matt Mitchell, the new YMCA will more than double the space of the current Central City YMCA located at 110 E. Palm Ave.
“For 135 years, the YMCA has been woven into the fabric of our city. This development, with a new, modern YMCA as an anchor, will stand as a testament to our commitment to meeting the evolving needs for future generations. We look forward to robust conversations with the Tampa Heights residents and our neighbors as we explore the many ways this vision can offer value to the community. Local community feedback will be critical as we bring this vision to reality,” said Mitchell.
The new YMCA will feature a licensed pre-school, before and after school care, teen programs, summer day camps and enhanced wellness resources to meet community needs. It will also have a rooftop pool with expanded swimming lessons and drowning prevention programs, pickleball courts, and a skybridge over Florida Avenue that will connect to parking and the organization’s corporate offices. The current YMCA will not close until the new YMCA is open.
“Our new facility and the surrounding development will generate resources to further our mission and extend our reach into underserved Tampa communities. The YMCA is a catalyst for empowerment, offering a wide range of opportunities for fitness, education, recreation, and social connection. It is our vision to empower every individual in our community to reach their healthiest and most fulfilled life,” added Mitchell.
Plans call for the preservation of the Standard Oil Building located at 110 E Oak Ave. Additionally, the YMCA is providing a 10-foot easement along E. Palm Ave. for a potential streetcar expansion.
Tampa Heights plays a special role in our city’s history. Keeping this front and center, the YMCA has selected Ellison Development, a local and Tampa-based company, as their partner in launching this project. “As a huge supporter of the YMCA and its mission, I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to help them expand their footprint in the Tampa Heights community and beyond. It's an honor and a privilege to be a part of the team that understands how to honor the neighborhood's past while ushering it in to its next chapter,” said Ellison Development CEO Casey Ellison.
The development will be done in phases with the construction of the YMCA being part of phase one. Ellison expects to break ground on the new YMCA in the summer of 2024 with completion in early 2026. The entire development will take roughly five years to finish.
Working on the project with Ellison Development are architects Fleischman Garcia Maslowski, engineers Kimley-Horn, and Gardner Brewer Hudson as zoning attorney.
About Ellison Development
Ellison Development is an innovative real estate development firm based in Tampa, FL. Led by Casey Ellison and co-founded by Sidd Pagidipati, our team is dedicated to acquiring, developing, and constructing architecturally significant mixed-use projects. Embracing the essence of the local community, we aspire to create projects that stand the test of time, harmonizing with and elevating their communities.
Contact: Preston Rudie
Preston@CatalystCommunicationsGroup.com
Kiran Malik-Khan, Senior Communications Director
Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA
Kiran.malik-khan@tampaymca.org