Hagerstown has high hopes for bringing a historic downtown building back to life

HAGERSTOWN, Md. (DC News Now) — For two decades an historic high rise has sat empty in the heart of Hagerstown’s business district, steps from Public Square.

Attempts to repurpose the old YMCA building have fallen flat. But City Hall and the business community are taking steps to bring it back to life.

The landmark is too historic to destroy. But is it too costly to save?

The city had hoped a buyer of the neo-Georgian style 100,000 square-foot structure would emerge from an auction earlier this year. The YMCA was once the center of the city’s social scene, but the building has sat empty for more than two decades.

“We’d like to see market-rate housing with commercial retail space there,” Hagerstown Mayor Bill McIntire said. “And we’re seeking out developers now.”

McIntire told a Chamber of Commerce forum on Wednesday that a buyer could complement plans for downtown business growth, a view shared by Chamber President Paul Frey.

“I think it’s important for economic development,” Frey said. “[The mayor] mentioned it sat empty for 20 years. And we don’t want to wait another year for it to deteriorate.”

The mayor said the building “is an architectural gem.” He would like to see a restaurant off the building’s street-level lobby.

McIntire said he’ll give it 18 months to find a buyer. After that, he will look at “other purposes” for the structure.