https://www.whio.com/rf/image_lowres/Pub/p11/JournalNews/2020/01/31/Images/newsEngin.25266081_YWCA-building.jpg — The YWA Hml hes buld $11 mll fcly Grd Bulevrd rvde mre servces h w c. I wuld be mder, hree-sry buldg wh ffces d dzes f rmes. PROVIDED(Ruledge, Mke (MG-Dy))Ruledge, Mke (MG-Dy)

Hamilton decision clears next hurdle for proposed $11M YWCA facility

31 Jan 2020, 13:12 by Mike Rutledge - Staff Writer

HAMILTON — City Council unanimously approved legislation Wednesday that allows the Hamilton Parks Conservancy to manage the two municipal golf courses. The officials also unanimously approved a zoning change that makes it possible for YWCA Hamilton to build more apartments combined with a larger office complex along Grand Boulevard.

City administrators have touted the arrangement for the conservancy to manage the city-owned Potter’s Park and Twin Run golf courses as a way for city government to redeploy staff to “focus on other strategic initiatives.” As a non-profit organization, the conservancy has a greater ability to respond nimbly to needs, and also to accept donations.

Three city employees will be going to the conservancy: Golf Superintendent Mark Moore, Golf Course Maintenance Supervisor Lawrence Cecere and Concessions and Tournament Manager William Brannon.

The YWCA has said it needs more room than it has at its building at 244 Dayton St. for apartments and it wants to expand services and housing for abused women and low-income people, many of them with mental health and addiction issues. The organization hopes to build about 65 apartments and offices in a three-story, 50,000-square-foot building at 1570 Grand Blvd.

Even with the zoning change, the proposed $11 million project hinges on a $9 million Low-Income Tax Credit for which the YWCA will apply by mid-February and whose awarding will be announced later this year. Construction may break ground in late 2021, with an opening in 2022 or early 2023, YWCA Hamilton Executive Director Wendy Waters-Connell told the Journal-News.

Meanwhile, the YWCA has asked the Butler County commissioners for $400,000 in grants to help with the new campus, and that request is pending.

The YWCA houses Butler County’s only domestic violence shelter.

YWCA officials are working with The Model Group on plans to sell the Dayton Street building. Some have speculated the building would be a good location for a hotel, as Hamilton prepares for the late-2021 opening of the gigantic indoor sports complex and convention center called Spooky Nook Sports Champion Mill.

With the expectation of that opening, new bars, restaurants and businesses have been opening or expanding, and hotel developers have been inquiring about possible locations in the city.

MORE: Hamilton to have parks conservancy operate its 2 golf courses