YMCA’s board favors denser housing redevelopment

A willingness to negotiate on use of property in wake of Merwick relocation plans

By: Nick Norlen
   The Princeton Family YMCA’s board of directors is in favor of applying a higher density residential zone to the tract that will likely be redeveloped by Princeton University as a result of Princeton HealthCare System’s decision to relocate the Merwick Rehab Hospital & Nursing Care facility to Plainsboro, board Chairman David Sandahl said Thursday.
   Over the summer, Borough Council held two of three scheduled discussions about the possible redevelopment of the Merwick, Stanworth and YMCA and YWCA Princeton properties — and how they would fit into the Master Plan amendment due to the state in October.
   Mr. Sandahl said Thursday that Y representatives will appear at the third and final discussion — scheduled for the second week of September, when the amendment ordinance will be introduced — to voice support for a change to higher density housing.
   "This change in zoning could open up opportunities that have not been open to us for a long, long time," he said.
   Mr. Sandahl said the possibilities that higher density would afford include the creation of a closer connection to the community and more flexible ways to use the site.
   "Presumably, when the university goes ahead (with purchasing the site), there could be some arrangements about who owns what parts of the land," he said.
   Because the YMCA has been "landlocked" under the current layout of the properties, a reconfiguration made possible by arrangements with the university could allow the Ys to improve their facilities and parking situation, which would in turn allow them to provide better amenities, he said.
   "It’s pretty clear that there are solutions that sort of minimize the negative impact and open up a lot of possibilities for the public and the YM and the YW," he said. "We think this is a very exciting time."
   Also exciting, he said, is the fact that the two Y entities plan on "engaging in a very serious discussion about strategy."
   Earlier in the summer, YWCA Princeton Chief Executive Officer Judy Hutton announced that both Ys plan to work together to create a joint strategic plan that will guide the two institutions’ place in the amended Master Plan.
   With the Princeton Family YMCA about to enter its bicentennial year in 2008, Mr. Sandahl said it’s a great time to create improved facilities for the community.
   "We have every intention of staying in Princeton and staying at that site," he said.