Northeast YMCA plans $15.3 million development in Roebuck with clinic, 23 Habitat homes

The Northeast YMCA is planning a $15.3 million redevelopment on its 8-acre Roebuck campus that will include 22 Habitat for Humanity homes and a renovated community resource center.

"It's not a fitness center, which is oftentimes what we're known for," said Dan Pile, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Birmingham.

The project addresses health disparities and inequities in early learning, affordable housing, pediatric care, mental health and affordable nutrition, Pile said.

"How do we address all those issues?" Pile said. "We recognize we can't do all of it ourselves. We gathered together like-minded partners to address these inequities that no one can handle themselves."

Christ Health Center will run an attached pediatric health clinic and Impact Family Counseling will run a counseling center for families. The well-lit walkable neighborhood will include a community garden and playgrounds.

"Habitat will fund their own housing developments," Pile said. "We're creating building-ready pads for Habitat, and they'll come in and build the homes. Christ Health Center will be responsible for the infrastructure of the shell we're going to build; the same with Impact Family Counseling. With all us partnering together, it's over $15 million collectively."

The city of Birmingham this week approved a $1 million contribution to the Northeast YMCA's renovation and new campus plan taking shape at 628 Red Lane Road.

"This is huge and will be life-changing for the people of East Birmingham and the surrounding communities," said Birmingham Mayor Randall L. Woodfin. "This new, innovative campus concept will be a national model for YMCAs across the country."

Jefferson County is contributing $1.9 million towards the project, and about $9.5 million in private donations has been raised to help fund the project, Pile said.

Although no homes have been built yet, construction is underway on streets, curbs and sidewalks for a neighborhood that will adjoin the renovated YMCA.

"We're also renovating the interior of the building to modernize and upgrade all our youth development programs, our First Class Pre-K classrooms, all of our youth and teen work, putting in a commercial kitchen to support our food distribution and Meals on Wheels partnership with United Way."

The new Northeast Y should be open and running by mid-spring 2025, Pile said. It won't resemble other YMCA's that have gyms, tracks and weightlifting equipment.

The project includes major renovations to the current 18,000-square-foot facility and a new 8,000-square-foot addition will include the health clinic, counseling center and resource center.

"This is totally a human service community center," he said. "There will be a small exercise area for seniors, to keep them active and mobile and counter falls."

Besides Habitat for Humanity, Christ Health Center, Impact Family Counseling, United Way of Central Alabama/Meals on Wheels, and Alabama First Class Pre-K, Community Food Bank of Central Alabama, is a partner in the project.