The YMCA has submitted plans to the St. Johns River Water Management District for its Downtown Campus redevelopment at 207 Riverside Ave.
The project includes construction of a YMCA building and associated infrastructure to support the development, including parking and utility infrastructure. It's a one-phase project.
The consultant is England, Thims & Miller.
The YMCA of Florida's First Coast announced in October it plans to develop a $21 million, three-story, 80,000-square-foot facility on riverfront land at the site of Yates Family YMCA at 221 Riverside Ave. The aging Yates structure will be removed when the new YMCA is completed.
Depending on the progress of the fundraising campaign, which is co-chaired by Russell Newton III and John Anderson, construction could start between April-September. The corporate headquarters will return to the facility from the Southside as well.
The "Vision 2020" strategic plan calls for a focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.
The planned facility received initial approval from a City board that will continue to review its compliance with the Downtown Master Plan.
The City Office of Economic Development's Downtown Development Review Board has unanimously approved the conceptual plans, with conditions, which include deviations of a setback from Riverside Avenue and a 15-foot increase above the 45-foot height limit for the building.
The board is responsible for approving projects for compliance, which includes architecture, materials and overall design review.
Officials with the project said additional features could include integration with the Skyway system and creation of a splash park.
Several board members asked that efforts be made to minimize the parking lot, located along Riverside Avenue, from looking like a parking lot. Future commercial development on Riverside Avenue could hide sightlines of the parking lot, but there is no timeline for development.