As popularity for the Charles Lakin YMCA grows, they are fighting to fit cars into their current parking lot. The Greater Omaha YMCA is hoping to close Baughn Street and tear down the old St. Patrick's church in order to increase parking and to create a wider "campus feel". This plan would cause massive construction along Harmony Street as well as increased neighborhood traffic. The closure of Baughn Street would directly affect the following neighborhoods: Harmony Street, Logan Street, Oak Street, Benton Street, Snyder Avenue, Prospect Street and Hillcrest Avenue.

Those of us who live in this neighborhood have great concerns regarding the closing of Baughn Street for the convenience it allows getting in and out of the neighborhood as well as the pressure it releases from hospital traffic on Frank and the gridlock that occurs on Harrison at peak times. There have been no traffic studies done to confirm any safety issues and no recorded traffic incidents. It is more likely that the intersection of Frank Street and Kanesville as well as Harrison Street and Kanesville would be backed up daily as cars would be lined up waiting for the slower lights.

The current agreement the YMCA has with CHI Health Mercy Hospital already allows for overflow parking as they are still leasing the land to the YMCA. The campus plan the YMCA is proposing could also move forward without closing the street, a crosswalk would solve any potential safety concerns if the YMCA moves forward with their plans for the lot on the other side of Baughn Street.

The City Planning Committee voted against the street closure on Tuesday Nov. 10th and the 712 Initiative has offered their services in fundraising for a parking garage and creating a crosswalk to prevent any perceived issues. Please take a couple of minutes from your day and let the City know we want to keep this road open before they start the decision process on Nov. 23rd.