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Council warned YMCA youth center is effectively closed; staff to negotiate lease amendment
Summary
Mayor Anthony Wright told council the YMCA‑operated youth center is effectively closed except for counseling and housing services because grant funding fell through; staff will meet the local YMCA manager to discuss amending a lease that requires operation of a youth center and will return with a proposed amendment for council consideration.
Mayor Anthony Wright briefed the council that the local YMCA branch had posted that its youth center is effectively closed to general programming, operating only limited counseling and youth housing services while it seeks funding.
Wright said the city’s existing lease requires that the tenant operate a youth center. Because the YMCA is not operating the facility as a youth center while it tries to secure grants and donations (including a King County grant the YMCA reportedly did not receive), staff will meet with the YMCA branch manager to discuss amending the lease to reflect current operations and to bring any proposed amendment back to council for approval. Wright noted the lease may be considered in the 2027 budget discussions if the YMCA’s funding situation does not improve.
What residents asked: During public comment, a senior resident and John Dahlquist urged near‑term safety fixes at the Stevenson and Cole intersection; Dahlquist told council he had already discussed funding with Mayor Wright and said a budget exists for interim measures.
Ending: No lease action was taken at the March 9 meeting; staff will negotiate with the YMCA and return to council with options and any proposed lease language or budget implications.
