Lysander (WSYR-TV) -- The YMCA at Onondaga Community College is now open to the public, but another YMCA has been stuck at the drawing board for years. Supporters thought the Northwest YMCA would break ground this month, but Radisson residents in the town of Lysander are putting up a fight.
The new Lysander town supervisor campaigned to build a YMCA this year. He won, but lost in the section of Radisson where the YMCA has plans to build. Now, 19 property owners are suing.
"We want a 'Y' and we need a 'Y.' We hope this lawsuit doesn't slow us down even further," said Lysander Town Supervisor John Salisbury.
Pointing at the traffic at the Fayetteville YMCA, the Radisson neighbors' lawyer Douglas Zamelis says his clients "want the community to envision this happening in their front yard and in their residential neighborhood."
Neighbors living in the Radisson community area say their community is supposed to be private. Having a YMCA across the street would bring too much traffic. More importantly, Zamelis says, it would be illegal.
"There's certain things you can and cannot do with a piece of property. And you cannot build a non-residential facility on this piece of property because it's restricted for residential use," Zamelis said. He said every property in Radisson is subject to certain restrictions.
But Salisbury says people are tired of waiting for a YMCA.
"Other 'Ys' have been built and ours hasn't been, and we have the financial backing of the people. We have the support, and we need to more forward," Salisbury said.
Other sites are still being considered for a YMCA in the Baldwinsville, but Friends of the 'Y' say the Radisson area would work best.
To learn more about what construction of the 'Y' and what it would mean for the area, or to become a supporter of the YMCA,
CLICK HERE.
