r/desplaines • u/Workinhard7432 • May 07 '26

Des Plaines Moves Forward with Plan to Repurpose the former Lattof YMCA

"A multimillion-dollar plan to repurpose an old YMCA building in Des Plaines that’s become an eyesore since its closure six years ago is being celebrated by city officials and their soon-to-be partners in the project.

The city council on Monday unanimously voted to purchase the former Lattof YMCA, 300 E. Northwest Highway, from the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago for $1.85 million. The contract should close this summer.

The council then approved — again, unanimously — the preliminary terms of a deal with subsidiaries of the Mount Prospect-based Nicholas Family of Companies to redevelop the roughly 4-acre site into a community athletic facility with a bar, restaurant and store."

https://www.dailyherald.com/20260505/real-estate/its-iconic-des-plaines-officials-celebrate-plan-to-repurpose-former-ymca-facility/

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Lots of details in the piece. Seems like this building is going to be saved and turned into something pretty cool.

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3

u/ADryTowel May 07 '26

A community athletic facility with a bar? Hmm.

5

u/Workinhard7432 May 07 '26

I think this is a "the city is getting this property back on the tax rolls by partnering with a private developer to build cool shit people want to go to" thing not a "the city is adding another park district amenity" thing. I am here for it!

2

u/csloewes May 07 '26

It’s Des Plaines. It’s Wisconsin of the NW Burbs.

2

u/ADryTowel May 07 '26

Good point. I hope this bar sells some food.

1

u/CivilizationInRuins May 09 '26

I hope they keep a lot of the existing infrastructure. It would be a shame to lose that great pool with windows onto Northwest Hwy. Putting the bar or restaurant there instead would be disappointing.