Ransburg YMCA Building Listed for $3.25 Million
The 54,000-square-foot facility closed in March after seven months of uncertainty, and local officials say they are waiting for a response to a purchase offer made in August.
By Priya Marino ·
The nearly 54,000-square-foot Ransburg YMCA building at 501 N. Shortridge Road is now on the market for $3.25 million. The property has been vacant for seven months since the facility closed its doors on March 31. The YMCA of Greater Indianapolis placed the listing with Premier Commercial Reality Services but declined to name interested parties or disclose the status of potential offers.
Kirsten Eamon-Shine, the chief brand officer for the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis, said the organization understands the space is vital to the neighborhood. She stated that the group is hopeful the next use of the building will benefit the community. Representatives for Premier Commercial Reality Services did not respond to requests for information regarding prospective buyers.
Local organizations have expressed interest in acquiring the property. Jay Height, director of the nearby Shepherd Community Center, said his nonprofit submitted a confidential offer in August. As of October 29, Height said Shepherd has not received a response to that proposal.
Vanessa Stiles, a former board member who served for 14 years, worries the asking price is too high for many nonprofit organizations. She said she fears the building will remain empty if the sellers do not lower the price. Stiles noted the facility previously hosted a refrigerated food pantry, an early learning center, and youth mentoring programs. A local church also used the space for meetings.
The YMCA announced the closure in January, citing ongoing financial decisions. Members of the surrounding community worked to save the branch before the final shutdown. The building served as a central gathering place for families, seniors, and young adults on the east side of Indianapolis.
Yovanna Nevins, a former member, traveled to the Benjamin Harrison YMCA in Lawrence after the Ransburg closure. She said the new location is more than 30 minutes away, compared to the seven-minute drive to the Shortridge Road facility. Nevins said she misses the community aspect of the gym, particularly for the children and elderly residents who depended on the space.
Susie Cordi, a former Indianapolis city-county councilor, canceled her membership after the closure. She and her husband had been members for about 20 years. Cordi described the Ransburg branch as a close-knit community where members supported one another during illnesses or family losses. Janet Williams, a senior member who learned to swim at the facility, said she does not understand why the branch closed and feels abandoned by the organization.
