Democrat Lawmakers Call for Funding of Youth & Community Center

Democratic City of Poughkeepsie Common Council members and Dutchess County Legislators called on Dutchess County to invest in a youth and community center at Poughkeepsie’s Eastman Park, former site of the YMCA, which is currently owned by the City of Poughkeepsie and has been vacant for over a decade.

“The City invited proposals for this work last year, in summer 2019,” said County Legislator Randy Johnson (D-District 9). He noted that a committee led by late Legislator Barbara Jeter-Jackson, a longtime champion for the City, approved a plan last fall. “The County needs to step up with funding to get this project going.”

A March 2016 county resolution authorizing $192,150,000 in bonds for a new jail stated that “the County Executive advised his intent to increase the County’s commitment for a youth center to $1.5 million.”

“Poughkeepsie kids who were first graders in 2016, when that resolution passed, are now starting middle school,” said County Legislator Barrington Atkins (D-District 10). “It’s long past time for the county to make this commitment real.”

“The County just found $200 million dollars of taxpayer money to fund a new jail. Why can’t they find $20 million to fund a new community center?” Asked City of Poughkeepsie Councilmember Evan Menist (D-Ward 2) who represents the Second Ward, where the former YMCA building is located.

“When you consider all of the County buildings located in the City center that benefit from City services such as public works, police, fire, etc. without any contribution to the City tax rolls, it’s clear that the City of Poughkeepsie makes a significant contribution to Dutchess County,” said County Legislator Craig Brendli (D-District 8). “The very least the County can do is contribute to a youth center that benefits our community.”

"Now is the time to refund our community and prioritize social investments and that must include a swift redirecting of resources toward youth services thereby helping to grant our young people more equitable access to opportunity and advancement by offering them resources, jobs, and a broader range of educational experiences” said Common Council Chairperson Sarah Salem (D-At Large). “No more school to prison pipeline. Not for our City of Poughkeepsie youth. When our young people flourish, our entire community will progress. "

“At a time when jail populations are declining, the county should redirect a portion of the funding from the new jail to fund this community center. Our youth need a place to go for educational and employment opportunities, not more investment in jails and incarceration.” Added Councilmember Sarah Brannen (D-Ward 4)

“We need to be moving forward now, for the children and youth of this city,” said Councilmember Lorraine Johnson (D-Ward 3). “Our kids belong in a youth and community center, not out on the streets or in jails.”

The Poughkeepsie YMCA closed in 2009. After a local non-profit organization proved unable to realize a plan for the building, the City of Poughkeepsie reassumed ownership in October 2019. A coalition of local non-profit groups has proposed a design including a gymnasium and pool, kitchen, community rooms, a childcare center offering flextime care, community gardens, and connections with adjacent Eastman Park.

JOINT STATEMENT ON COUNTY FUNDING FOR A YOUTH AND COMMUNITY CENTER IN THE CITY OF POUGHKEEPSIE

12 August 2020

We, the undersigned City of Poughkeepsie Common Council members and Dutchess County Legislators, call on Dutchess County to invest $20 million in a youth and community center in the City of Poughkeepsie.

The former YMCA site on Montgomery Avenue, owned by the City, has been identified as an appropriate location. The City invited proposals in 2019 and a committee chaired by the late Legislator Barbara Jeter-Jackson approved an exciting design, submitted by a coalition of local non-profit groups.

If the County can afford to expand the jail at the cost of almost $200 million to taxpayers, they can afford $20 million to fund a community center that will help youth in the City of Poughkeepsie learn and provide them with opportunities to succeed.

Poughkeepsie residents, especially children and youth, have waited long enough. We urge that the County provide this funding so the project can move forward without further delay.

Dutchess County Legislators Democratic caucus:

Barrington Atkins

Hannah Black

Craig Brendli

Rebecca Edwards

Randy Johnson

Brennan Kearney

Giancarlo Llaverias

Kris Munn

Nick Page

Frits Zernike

City of Poughkeepsie Common Council Members:

Sarah Brannen

Natasha Cherry

Lorraine Johnson

Randall Johnson II

Evan Menist

Sarah Salem