Wichita City Council members give the go ahead to begin negotiations for a new Downtown YMCA despite some concerns that taxpayers could lose out on the deal.
The YMCA wants to buy or lease the city-owned land at 1st and Waco along the river to build a new downtown branch and house its corporate headquarters.
The value of the land according to the county appraiser is $500,000.
But the owner of Genesis Healthclubs and other citizens and developers say since the YMCA is a non-profit and doesn't have to pay property taxes the city will lose out on making money off the site.
While at least one council member shares that concern, the city will go ahead with negotiations but the final contract must come back before council members for approval. That is expected to happen this March.
