Home » Building Community

Building Community

creating a sustainable future in the heart of flint for the next 100 years.

Welcome to a new future for the YMCA of Greater Flint, as we construct a new multi-use building on the corner of 3rd and Harrison St in Downtown Flint. The new Downtown YMCA will be a 50,000 square foot facility, part of the LiveWell on Harrison. This innovative partnerships sees the Y join with 50 units of apartments, Hurley Physical Therapy Clinic, and Crim Fitness Foundation, to create the new home of health and wellness in Flint. Watch as children learn. Families grow.
Our community thrives.

Coming April 2025

The YMCA originated in 1844 in London, England, coming to North America in 1851. The YMCA of Greater Flint began in 1879. By 1913, Flint’s population had boomed. The Flint Daily News reported that the YMCA had become a “necessity” as part of a city that was bidding to become one of the country’s foremost automobile manufacturing centers. A building committee of five prominent businessmen, led by Charles Stewart Mott, quickly raised over $100,000 to construct a new YMCA building on Kearsley Street. Never before was so much money raised for a single organization in Flint. The current Downtown YMCA was dedicated on January 21, 1962. It included a variety of program spaces and three floors with hotel units. With only 30-40% of the facility currently utilized, it has reached a point of functional obsolescence.

The future facility will allow us to strengthen the community and expand our impact in three key areas.

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

YMCA youth programs nurture children’s development by providing a safe place to learn foundation skills, develop healthy relationships, and build self-reliance.

More children will experience learning activities and socialization in our new Kid Zone, while giving caregivers an opportunity to focus on their own health and wellness.
School-age youth will enjoy a variety of enrichment programs at the newly opened Safe Places Afterschool space.

HEALThY LIVING

Membership at the Y means far more than joining a gym—it’s a movement to improve lives so all people may reach their potential.

900 more households will be engaged in our Y with 100% growth in membership within 3 years of opening the new facility.
Members will have increased privacy and options for families with universal locker rooms and family-friendly facilities.
A fully ADA-compliant facility designed to reduce accessibility barriers in the current facility.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

At the Y, we have a commitment to serving those who need our services most.

Social bonds, which benefit health, longevity, and civilized discourse, will be forged in our new social gathering spaces.
Community groups and organizations will have a space to meet and hold blood drives, clinics, and learning sessions in our new community rooms.
A sustainable facility will allow us to concentrate on offering more financial assistance and other mission-based programs.

New YMCA facilities will allow us to serve thousands more people of all ages.

Increasing services including nutrition, chronic disease management and prevention programs, and caregiver support
Expanding the aquatics center to a six-lane pool and splash pad
A full child watch facility
An indoor walking track
3 Fitness studios
Expanded offerings for family recreation and youth sports
Creating a fully ADA-accessible and energy-efficient building

Check out this construction timelapse!

See all the work that has been done on the site since May 2023 through October 2023!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where will the new YMCA be located?

The new YMCA will be located at the corner of 3rd and Harrison, next to the current Marketplace Apartments.

Who else will be located at LiveWell on Harrison?

We are excited to be welcoming URC who will manage the 50 apartments, Hurley Rehabilitation Therapy, and Crim Fitness Foundation.

When will the new YMCA open?

We are planning on opening the new facility on March 2025.

What will happen to the current YMCA?

The current YMCA will be sold and the property used for future development.

Will my membership fees be used to pay for the new building?

Your membership fees will continue to pay for the operation of the current YMCA and will not be used to construct the new YMCA.

How much will the project cost?

The YMCA of Greater Flint is working with Uptown Reinvestment Corporation to complete this project. The YMCA portion is $21 million. We are currently raising funds for the new YMCA. If you are interested in investing in this project, contact Pam Bailey at 810-232-9622 ext 5107 or email.

How can I help build the new facility?

We would love to have a conversation about donating to the new YMCA. Please contact Pam Bailey at 810-213-8275.

How can I lease one of the apartments?

The apartments will be managed by Uptown Reinvestment Corporation (URC) and information about leasing is slated to be released late Fall 2024. To be added to their alert list for future updates on the completion of the apartments, please call 810-238-5555 or send an email to [email protected].