City Council to Consider YMCA Purchase and Redevelopment Partnership
Published on April 29, 2026
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Des Plaines City Council to Consider YMCA Purchase and Redevelopment Partnership
Des Plaines, IL—At its May 4 meeting, the Des Plaines City Council will consider purchasing the former Lattof YMCA building at 300 E. Northwest Highway. If approved, the Council would then vote on a public-private partnership with the Nicholas Family of Companies to redevelop the site.
City staff have been working with the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago to negotiate a purchase price of $1.85 million. The acquisition supports the City’s goal of restoring the prominent Northwest Highway site as a 21st-century recreational destination.
Under the proposed agreement, the 90,000-square-foot facility, which the YMCA closed in June 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, would be transformed into a modern community sports complex featuring a bar, restaurant, and market. When completed, the project will reactivate the property as both a community amenity and a tax-generating commercial property.
To support the redevelopment, the partnership would include a 20-year loan from the City to the Nicholas Family of Companies at an interest rate of 2.5%. Over the term of the loan, the City would earn an estimated $5.3 million in interest.
Des Plaines Mayor Andrew Goczkowski said, “This project, if approved by the City Council, would be transformational for the Northwest Highway corridor. It brings new energy to a long-vacant and highly visible site while creating a regional destination that draws visitors from across the Northwest suburbs. Just as importantly, it reflects our commitment to reinvesting in our community in a way that delivers quality amenities for residents and long-term economic value for Des Plaines.”
Nick Papanicholas Jr., CEO of the Nicholas Family of Companies, said, “This project is incredibly personal for our family. My siblings and I spent countless hours at the Lattof YMCA growing up. It was a place where we learned, played, and built lifelong friendships. To now have the opportunity to partner with the City of Des Plaines to bring new life to a facility that meant so much to us is truly special. Through the combined strengths of Nicholas & Associates, Spectate Group, and Big Fish Hospitality, we’re excited to help transform this building into a vibrant community destination once again, one that will serve families in Des Plaines and the surrounding communities for generations to come.”
Des Plaines 7th Ward Alderman Patsy Smith said, “I am very glad that the City Council is actively considering the purchase of the former Lattof YMCA building in the 7th Ward. This site is a significant part of our community, and I am optimistic about the potential of this public-private partnership; with the Nicholas Family of Companies, I know this property is in good hands and will be restored into a vibrant, long-term asset for our residents.”
About the City of Des Plaines: The City of Des Plaines is a vibrant suburban community located just northwest of Chicago and adjacent to O’Hare International Airport. Guided by a strategic plan focused on community character, re-imagined growth, infrastructure and mobility, and municipal excellence, the City is committed to providing high-quality services, supporting thoughtful development, and enhancing the quality of life for residents, businesses, and visitors
About the Nicholas Family of Companies: The Nicholas Family of Companies is a second-generation, family-owned and operated organization headquartered in Mount Prospect, Illinois, with additional offices in Wisconsin and Florida. Companies within the family of companies that are involved in the facility and programming: Nicholas & Associates, Spectate Group, Big Fish Hospitality Group, and Papago Management. To learn more, visit nicholasfoc.com.
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Contact:
Brad Goodman
City of Des Plaines
847-391-6122
bgoodman@desplainesil.gov