Kennett YMCA withdraws from $30 million development plan

A “sense of urgency” led to the Kennett Area YMCA’s withdrawal from a $30 million plan to revitalize part of Kennett Square. The YMCA said Monday it’s moving forward with its own development plans instead of a joint initiative with the Kennett Area Community Development organization.

The YMCA already has land grants for its expansion, the Kennett Paper reoprts, so it can’t wait the five to 10 years the organization’s Gateway Project would take to get started.

Aside from the YMCA, the Bayard Taylor Memorial Library, the Kennett Area Park Authority and the borough were part of the project to beautify the park, expand some of the buildings, increase parking and create a walkway joining the Y, library and park.

The Y will now begin a $3 million capital campaign to fund its expansion as the KACD scales its plans back.