BUCYRUS, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—The Bucyrus City Council is set to convene a special meeting on Monday, December 8 at 6 p.m. Among other issues is the addressing of the future of the old YMCA building, currently occupied by the Bucyrus Fire Department. This meeting will take place an hour earlier than the usual council sessions.

On the agenda is a proposal to transfer ownership of the old YMCA to the Community Improvement Corporation (CIC). The council’s determination to part ways with the structure follows a donation of the building to the city from Mayor Truka. Truka recently handed the building’s keys to Fire Chief Chad Schwemley.

Schwemley, who has been utilizing the facility for storage of public education materials, Safety Town supplies, and firefighter training exercises, faces challenges following the decision to sell the north end fire station, which has limited his storage options. He expressed hopes to use a donated fire door from Forge Fire and Co.  on the old YMCA.

According to Schwemley, significant demolition will be required for the building’s rear portion.
If permitted to keep the building, Schwemley intends to seek grants to cover demolition costs, recognizing that a new fire station is out of reach for now.

However, some council members have alternative proposals about the building’s future. Recently, an email thread obtained by Crawford County Now revealed a proposal from Adam Frizzell, who seeks to acquire the old YMCA for economic development.

Frizzell envisions transforming the facility into a community-based fine art gallery and studio with residential space on the second floor.

The mayor invested $115,000 in the building, covering utilities and insurance before donating it. In his proposal, Frizzell offered a mere $5,000 cash incentive to the CIC upon the council’s transfer of the property.

Notably, Law Director Brandon Gobrecht supports Frizzell’s proposal, citing its potential to provide necessary funds for the CIC’s insurance and operations.

Contrastingly, Safety Service Director Tommy Starner expressed opposition, noting that the property could undergo a formal bidding process since it is now owned by the city.

Newly elected Councilman Robert Taylor weighed in on the debate, stating, “The city owning the old YMCA building is nothing but a financial liability we don’t need. The building is dilapidated, and the back half is unsafe to occupy.” Taylor acknowledged the eventual need for a new fire station but deemed it not immediately urgent in the current economic climate, highlighting the necessity for careful budget prioritization across all city departments.

The upcoming meeting invites public participation, and citizens unable to attend can visit the City of Bucyrus homepage for contact information regarding their representatives.

Crawford County Now will continue to provide updates on this unfolding story.