| Name | Baron |
|---|---|
| Last Name | Herdelin-Doherty |
| Home Address | 1458 Tuckahoo Pass Signal Mountain, TN 37377 United States |
| Organization Name | YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga |
| Describe Your Role In The Organization | I am the President & CEO for our YMCA. |
| Organization Address | 301 West Sixth Street Chattanooga, TN 37402 United States |
| Website | https://www.ymcachattanooga.org |
| Best Phone Number To Reach You | 423-265-8834 |
| Alternate Phone Number | 423-805-3305 |
| Email Address | baronhd@ymcachattanooga.org |
| Alternate Email Address | tmccallie@ymcachattanooga.org |
| Please Describe Your Project In Detail | COVID-19, a once-in-a-century crisis, has touched every corner of Metropolitan Chattanooga and every aspect of life. Those in poverty prior to the pandemic, are now facing almost insurmountable struggles with the most basic human needs – food, clothing, and shelter. Residents in Opportunity Zones in and around the downtown Chattanooga area have been especially hit hard. The volunteers and staff of the YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga, have an innovative vision that can address these needs for individuals and families from all walks of life…and tax brackets. This project would enable our current downtown YMCA facility, a 54-year old structure in downtown Chattanooga (301 West 6th Street) to be transformed into a Healthy Living Residential Center (HLRC). This opportunity aligns with the American Rescue Plan and One Chattanooga Strategic Plan strategies, including addressing Housing, Public Health, Early Learning, and lower-income and communities of color disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. This project would be a partnership with the City of Chattanooga, Hamilton County, and the YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga, a hospital partner, additional non-profits, local food providers like Bingo’s Market (affordable, healthy fruits and vegetables at the YMCA), a local developer, and the philanthropic community including local foundations. This comprehensive partnership and campus redevelopment would be a monumental investment on behalf of stakeholders’ long-term health. This partnership would also position our community to better serve the needs of our expanding urban community for future generations while leveraging property value. Based on the current needs within the Opportunity Zones situated in downtown Chattanooga and the positive results from our Market Analysis conducted by Triangle2 in January 2022, we are proposing a partnership to redevelop and repurpose the downtown physical facility through capital investment. The Market Analysis consisted of 538 interviews (95% confidence rate) targeting this proposed project and confirming buy-in. To support this, capital investments would come from YMCA-led fundraising efforts, local and regional foundations, local, state, and federal grants, and market tax credits. We envision partnering with a developer to rebuild the current Downtown YMCA into a multi-level development. The YMCA would be on the first floor and would continue to provide programs and facilities to address healthy living and safety of our residents. Our Market Analysis identified swim lessons/water safety as a community priority. Therefore, pools would be a part of the first floor. In addition, offices/space for community partners would be included to help our residents prepare for and land jobs to support their families and address their mental, physical, and spiritual health. The second floor would be designated for getting all children “ready to succeed in school” and would be an expansion of our Early Learning Preschool program. The third floor and beyond would be apartments that would include a mix of full pay and “affordable housing” units. There are similar successful YMCA models/*models in development across the country and world, and one thing is clear: Affordable housing works best when it provides more than just a place to live (Minneapolis, Central Ohio, Dallas, San Diego, *Nashville). In response to this fact, this partnership would also provide wrap-around services to address early childhood education, and the health, wellness, and safety of our residents. Housing would be a mix of market rate units and low-income units to serve individuals earning 60% or less of the area median gross income (AMGI) and/or have a poverty rate of at least 25%. This "mixed use" model has proven successful nationwide and in preparation for this proposal, our team has extensively studied high-impact successful models. The YMCA will partner with other non-profits to provide an in-house community resource center for job and skills training. Additionally, a family daycare center and Early Learning Language-Immersion Preschool will support working parents/guardians, while providing a source of employment for residents. This holistic approach will target where people live, work, and raise their families. The long-term goal to improve our community will be evidenced by consistent data collection, feedback, and responding to what our community needs to thrive for our most vulnerable stakeholders. |
| Please explain how your project meets the requirements of the American Rescue Plan | While the pandemic has affected every corner on Earth, in Chattanooga, there remain areas along racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic lines that have been disproportionately impacted who need support services to address both immediate and chronically unmet needs. The economic and health damage, in part because of the COVID 19 public health emergency, has been worsened for thousands of Chattanoogans residing in six downtown Opportunity Zones whose daily struggles and inabilities to climb of out substandard circumstances remains a challenge for those invested in Chattanooga. Root causes, specifically poverty and the need for early childhood development to better position children for school readiness, are two target areas our proposed partnership is prepared to tackle. For example, in Opportunity Zone 16, the median household income is an alarming $13,000. This is 70% lower than the median household income for the City of Chattanooga. Zone 16’s poverty rate is a staggering 49%; nearly 33% higher than the overall average for the City of Chattanooga. As well, the graduation rate is 16% lower than the City of Chattanooga and the state of Tennessee. The COVID 19 Pandemic has also highlighted how housing services to support healthy living environments and neighborhoods, conducive to mental and physical wellness, are essential. Over 40% of American adults are estimated to struggle with symptoms of depression or anxiety. This is up more than 10% from the first half of 2019, not to mention the most recent advisory on youth mental health crisis issued by the U.S. Surgeon General in December of 2021. In response, this HLRC project will call to arms Chattanooga partners to reimagine how we can deliver behavioral, mental, and public health treatment through a singular, holistic central location. When looking at housing, we see how Chattanooga has a growing gap of sustainable, affordable housing for citizens. Chattanooga is growing in population and with a need for new homes, hotels, apartments, and condos. According to our Market Analysis, over the next four years, the population commuting (twelve minute drive) to downtown Chattanooga is projected to increase by nearly 6,000 people, including more than 1,200 children. Yet, we consistently have homeless shelters yards away from million-dollar condos on the Tennessee River. In addition, an often unnoticed group are those who are “in the middle” – the working poor, the transient, those without means, and those who fail to have a voice in Chattanooga today or tomorrow. Right now, we have individuals sleeping in their cars or couch surfing because they do not make enough money to live downtown or in surrounding neighborhoods. There’s a mix of people of all ages + incomes moving here from all kinds of different places to enjoy the wonderful things Chattanooga has to offer. The need for more housing, affordable housing in particular, and early childhood development in downtown Chattanooga and surrounding areas is unmistakable. In the middle of downtown Chattanooga, on the border of Opportunity Zones 16 and 31 and within minutes to Zones 4, 19, 20, and 124, is the Downtown YMCA facility. For more than 50 years, this facility has been a community asset for all walks of life. The facility is, however, in need of major capital investments and/or replacement in order to continue to be a vibrant and thriving community asset. Daily, this building and the programs within it, address public health and safety needs - which have become increasingly significant since the start of the pandemic. These needs will be felt for months, years, even lifetimes for people of color in low-income communities due to pre-existing social vulnerabilities. The YMCA has the vision, history, reputation, volunteers, staff, programs, partnerships and heart to change the trajectory of the lives of residents in these communities. The YMCA is in the process of finalizing a historic and progressive Strategic Plan specific to the future of the Downtown YMCA and the needs of Chattanooga residents following the pandemic. With a significant number of Opportunity Zone households dealing with food and housing insecurities, the YMCA is envisioning a potential major project, with multiple community partners, to reimagine what this community asset could be. With the current challenges as a backdrop, the Strategic Plan is a 9-month process that has included numerous forums and committee meetings, and hundreds, if not thousands, of interviews to provide us with “mountains of data” with which to make decisions about how to be the best community partner we can be. In addition to addressing gaps in affordable housing and education, the YMCA will simultaneously address the resident health and child safety with this project. Sadly, Chattanoogans have higher rates of diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease than national averages. affordable housing, the Healthy Living Tower at Downtown Community YMCA will provide a beacon of hope. One where people from all walks of life can learn, grow, and thrive. According to the State of Tennessee, “The excess burden of these three diseases alone cost Tennessee nearly $5.3 billion in 2015 in direct medical care, lost productivity, and premature death.” In addition to health disparities, more children, ages 1–4, die from drowning than any other cause of death except birth defects. We must act. In response to these harsh realities, the YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga is proposing a new vision for its Downtown YMCA campus. By expanding YMCA programs like Safety Around Water, Personal Wellness, Early Learning, and Food Insecurity, as well as, adding new initiatives like affordable housing. |
| Where would your project take place? | Downtown YMCA - 301 West Sixth Street Chattanooga, TN. 37402 |
| How much will your project cost in total? | 44 |
| Do you have any matching funding sources from other local governments, private entities, non-profits, or philanthropic entities for your project? | Yes |
| Please describe the source and list amounts of any other funding. | REVENUE Capital Stack for Healthy Living Residential Center at Downtown Community YMCA YMCA Capital Campaign $7,400,001.00 Market Tax Credits $1,500,000.00 City of Chattanooga - American Rescue Plan Fund $9,999,999.00 Foundation Support/Endowment $10,000,000.00 Developer $10,000,000.00 Health Care Provider Partnership $5,000,000.00 State of Tennessee $100,000.00 TOTAL $44,000,000.00 EXPENSES Labor Labor - 10% $4,000,000.00 Subcontractor - 65% $26,000,000.00 TOTAL $30,000,000.00 Material/Equipment Material - 15% $6,000,000.00 Equipment - 10% $4,000,000.00 TOTAL $10,000,000.00 OH & P Standard 10% $4,000,000.00 TOTAL $44,000,000.00 $0.00 |
| What portion of the project are you asking the city to fund? | With a max investment from the City through the American Rescue Plan of $9,999,999, this would represent approximately 22% of the total proposed cost of the Health Living Residential Center at Downtown YMCA. The total cost of the HLRC is estimated to be $40,000,000- $50,000,000. |
| If funded, when would your project start? | October 1, 2023 |
| How long would your project take to complete? | 18 months |
| What milestones would you use to measure your project’s progress? | Children determined ready for school in OZ’s: 95%+ of children graduating from the Early Learning Language Immersion Preschool will be determined ready for school Graduation rates in Oz’s The graduation rates in opportunity zones 16 and 31 will increase by 5-7% by 2027 % of AMGI residents utilizing the partnership 20% of the units in the Healthy Living Residential Center will be occupied by residents qualifying as AMGI Number of jobs created 25- 50 new jobs will be created as part of the HLRC partnership Number of children and adults who complete of Safety Around Water program By 2027, all children in opportunity zones 16 and 31 will be offered the opportunity to complete a Safety Around Water program at no cost Lives impacted: The number of lives impacted by the HLRC will exceed 13,000 annually |
| How would you ensure accountability and transparency throughout the project lifecycle? | In that we are a non-profit organization, we constantly maintain transparency in all of our work. Data collection efforts, reporting, electronic file confidentiality, signed forms, and communication logs are maintained at the Metropolitan YMCA office in downtown Chattanooga. We believe in transparency and accountability and assure that the annual reporting will be available to all stakeholders and the public, upon request in hard print or electronically. YMCA Board members will receive monthly and/or quarterly updates and findings in addition to a full presentation of findings from the project’s implementation. We also will share highlights and challenges with program partners and stakeholders to ensure accountability and transparency. Program partners, stakeholders, and residents would be among the group from which we would look to involve on our Downtown Community YMCA, as well as, the YMCA Board of Directors. There are over 150 YMCA Advisory Board Members and 40 Board of Directors that help guide and direct our execution of a YMCA experience. Board members serve three-year terms. |
| If successful, how would your project benefit the community? | Increased economic strain and material hardship due to the pandemic will have a long-term impact on health, educational, and economic outcomes for many living in Opportunity Zones in Chattanooga; children will be particularly affected. Specific to children, it is well-known that adverse conditions in early childhood, including exposure to poverty, food insecurity, housing insecurity, or other economic hardships, are detrimental. The impact of the pandemic for low-income workers has also amplified food and housing insecurities. There is often not enough food to eat on a daily basis, and many are not current on rent. With this partnership, we will significantly improve access to stable, affordable housing for those who have been most adversely affected by the pandemic. In addition to addressing housing insecurity, food deserts in proposed Opportunity Zones 16 and 31 will be minimized through Bingo’s Market, Chattanooga Mobile Market, and a partnership with Signal Mountain Farms. Bingo’s Market is an innovative concept of a convenience store that carries fresh produce in addition to basic/staple items. There YMCA is currently operating a Bingo’s market in Patton Towers. The Chattanooga Mobile Market is a grocery store on wheels that makes 12 stops weekly throughout Chattanooga’s Opportunity Zones and accepts SNAP cards. Our partnership with Signal Mountain Farms will enable residents to subscribe to a weekly delivery program. Addressing housing and food insecurity will also provide critical additional jobs for residents living in the proposed Healthy Living Residential Center and surrounding areas. The multitudes of benefits for a safe and stable place to live are widely known. Research also suggests that, in addition to meeting the basic human need for shelter, safe and stable housing can function as a platform that promotes positive outcomes across a wider range of domains - from education to employment as well as physical, social, and mental health benefits. Stable housing, the base for Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, is essential to well-being and, for many, life. Another community benefit is the fact that young people with secure housing will be able to access essential health care and social services; thus, contributing to good physical and mental health. With expanded and enhanced early learning services, including pre-kindergarten, Head Start, and partnerships between pre-kindergarten programs and local education authorities, Opportunity Zone children served through this partnership will receive imperative supportive services with expanded and enhanced early learning services, including pre-kindergarten, Head Start, and partnerships between pre-kindergarten programs and local education authorities. Being ready for school, living in stable environments, and having access to social services will ultimately alter the trajectory of thousands of lives in the Chattanooga community for generations to come. |
| How will you attract community buy-in for your project? | As our YMCA heads into a new direction with our downtown facility, we are proud of our legacy and excited to build on our history of providing solutions for community challenges. Affordable and accessible housing has always been a part of the YMCA’s mission. Since 1844, YMCAs throughout the country have had a history of offering housing to adults and families in need of affordable places to call home. Affordable housing continues to be one of the biggest challenges facing residents in Opportunity Zones throughout downtown Chattanooga. Families and individuals will remain strong and viable by reducing the burden of high-rent housing. Their well-being is important to us and we will work with our residents to help them be successful. We have met with developers, stakeholders, community-based organizations, and government entities to dive ‘into the weeds’ and ensure that buy-in from a broad array of stakeholders is secured. We have received positive reactions and critical discussion feedback shaping this opportunity. We will continue to secure buy-in from Opportunity Zone residents and businesses through continued focus groups, surveys, interviews, and feedback sessions. The YMCA has always been transparent in its efforts, and we will continue with this throughout this process. We will have “boots on the ground” to meet and greet and have conversations with potential residents that the Healthy Living Center would serve. Initial buy-in is evidenced by an 88% positive rating from our aforementioned Market Analysis specific to this opportunity. This response is the highest ever recorded with this study. Another finding from the analysis is that the community wants to expand Early Learning Readiness programs, including swim lessons and active play space. We are excited to include what our Analysis results suggest into this project. It is estimated that, with a significant investment and the right programs, this community asset which currently serves approximately 6,400 will positively impact 13,400 to 18,400 stakeholders. As aptly stated, “If we build it…they will come.” |
| Is there anything else you would like us to know about your project? | The potential of the HLRC project is expansive because of the strategic partnership opportunities with organizations spanning across sectors. As part of developing the YMCA’s Strategic Plan, collaborative relationships for funding and program execution for this large-scale project are being studied/developed. We have upcoming meetings with Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise and the City. We plan to continue conversations on how we can be a collaborative partner with the City of Chattanooga and others, and be a significant part of the solution for those in our community who have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. |