May 12, 2025 10p
(WGTD)---A downtown Racine building that at one point was considered to be a community hub but ended life as an eyesore is being demolished.
The former YMCA building that for the past 62 years sat on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan is expected to be completely leveled by the end of the year.
To mark the beginning of the end yesterday, Racine Mayor Cory Mason climbed onto an excavator and addressed a small crowd that had gathered to witness the start of the project. "It's a bit bittersweet because there were a lot of great memories that were made in this place," he said. "We're sad to see it go but we're excited about what the future can bring."
With that, Mason got behind the controls and poked the first hole into a north side wall of the brick building. The action exposed the building’s gym.
The cost to the city of demolishing the structure will be $1.3 million—about $200,000 more than planned because an asbestos removal firm came across some hidden asbestos piping.
The demolition company will recycle as much of the debris as possible.
In the coming months, the city will seek proposals from developers.
The downtown YMCA was replaced by a new facility that opened in Mt. Pleasant over 10 years ago.
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