PRESENTER: Presenter
Mandi Scott, Economic and Community Development Manager
Stacey Dicke, Executive Director, New Braunfels Youth Collaborative
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SUBJECT: Title
Presentation and discussion on the New Braunfels Youth Collaborative Project
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DEPARTMENT: Economic and Community Development
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: 1
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
In 2021, the New Braunfels Youth Collaborative (NBYC) was formed by community members who recognized a service and facility gap for teens, ages 12 - 18, in New Braunfels. The NBYC’s goals are to create an innovative, fun, and well-rounded out-of-school experience for youth in 6th through 12th grades. NBYC offices and programming are planned at 407 West Mill Street with additional programming in the gym at 430 West Mill Street; the buildings together are now referred to as the Mill Street Youth Center. The site was first built in 1855 as the New Braunfels Academy (a high school) and expanded in 1913. The buildings were used as New Braunfels Independent School District (NBISD) administration offices from the mid 1980’s through 2020 when offices were relocated to Walnut Avenue, leaving the Mill Street facility vacant for the past three years.
NBYC secured a 50-year lease with NBISD for the properties. 407 West Mill Street will serve as the locations for Communities in Schools on the first floor, NBYC on the second floor, and the NBISD’s School of Choice will share space with NBYC on the third floor. The gymnasium at 430 West Mill Street will be used exclusively for NBYC programs. This facility will primarily serve students out-of-school but will also be available during school hours for home school programs, and other activities such as pickleball which may offset expenses related to the facility’s operation.
NBYC is currently working on renovations for both facilities. Schematic design is complete, plans are in design development, a general contractor has been selected with a Construction Manager at Risk delivery method. Total estimated renovation cost for the entire project is $9.5 million, with $1,501,742 being for the gymnasium renovation. The Mill Street Youth Center is expected to be open for students in early 2025.
ISSUE:
The $9.5M project seeks to inspire and uplift the next generation by providing dynamic and inclusive out-of-school time activities and resources tailored teens in out-of-date facilities. Planned updates will preserve the historic features, meet ADA compliance, repair the foundation and roof, update mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, asbestos abatement, and reconfigure spaces. Organizations and sources that have already committed a total of $5,650,839 to the project include:
The NBYC is currently fundraising for the balance of the project with sponsorship and naming opportunities available to other organizations and businesses. An additional $2,405,000 in requests have been made, with an additional $4,365,000 planned for request.
FISCAL IMPACT:
A funding request to renovate the gymnasium has been identified as $1,501,742.
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Direction to initiate a grant agreement with the New Braunfels Youth Collaborative to renovate the gymnasium at 430 West Mill Street.