This week the Ft. Walton Beach City Council accepted a proposal from Liza Jackson Preparatory School to take over the YMCA facility which has been shut down since last year. The proposal moves the school one step closer to obtaining a long-term-lease for the facility.
Prior to the vote on Tuesday night, Jayme Nabors, a co-founder of NBI Properties, the real estate agency currently handling the building, presented details of the plan to city council members, “We’re here tonight to make a recommendation to the city council to approve the award for the RFP to Liza Jackson School for the old YMCA property. In the proposal they mention their need for the use of the facility that allows the use for recreation and for the educational purposes.”
Under the proposal the charter school would take on the responsibility of renovating the deteriorated facility, “It’s a thirty year proposal. We decided that it would be best if it were a ground lease, meaning our liability for the city is turning over the property in “as is” condition. Which no, I guess liability or culpability for maintaining the facility. They propose to fix the building. As you guys know it’s in disrepair, roof and water issues. We’re unsure of the exact condition of the swimming pool."
Liza Jackson Preparatory School proposes to lease the YMCA facility from the city for $1 per year for the first three years until the repairs can be completed. Then, the school plans to open a sixth-ninth grade middle school and athletic complex on the property. Nabors says the school’s proposal will continue for quite a few years allowing for the school to grow, “And after that it will be a$5,000 a month or $60,000 a year payment over the next twenty seven years. Their intentions are to sub lease the swimming pool to the Emerald Coast (Fitness) Foundation, a joint venture on the pool portion of the YMCA. And Liza Jackson is going to use the gym facility and possible for expansion for some modular, modular classrooms.”
Ft. Walton Beach City Manager Michael Beedie says although the City Council accepted the proposal unanimously, this is just the first step, “Tonight is just to award the RFP. We’re working with Liza Jackson on the actual lease agreement and we hope to bring that back in the next meeting for approval.”
The YMCA in Ft. Walton Beach along with the ones in Crestview, and Destin shut down due to financial problems in October 2014. The Emerald Coast YMCA has operated in the red since its Destin branch was built in 2007. A decline in membership and donations across the organization was blamed for the shortfall, and maintenance costs in FWB and Crestview ultimately hindered any recovery efforts.
In making the motion to accept the school’s proposal, City Councilman Mike Holmes, says he values its dedication to the community, “Briefly, I’d like to thank Mr. Nabors and Liza Jackson for stepping up; I think this is going to be a great thing for everybody involved.”
Speaking to about twenty parents and students, FWB Mayor Mike Anderson says he’s looking forward to both addressing the issue in a couple of weeks and to what the future holds, “Very good, good luck and I’m anxious to see what happens next.”
The next FWB City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 23rd at City Hall on Hwy 98.
