NORFOLK, Va. — A long-awaited project to bring the William A. Hunton YMCA back to life is taking a major step forward, with city leaders officially transferring land for the future site.
The property at 1045 E. Brambleton Ave. will become home to a new Hunton YMCA complex designed to serve hundreds of children and families each day — with leaders now aiming to break ground in fall 2026 and open the facility the following year.
Friday’s deed signing marked what project leaders call a major milestone.
“It was monumental. It was a milestone for us because we were able to sign the deed on this beautiful land, which will be the future site of the William A. Hunton YMCA,” said Tanja Williams, CEO of the Hunton YMCA.
Williams said the new facility is designed to serve a wide range of ages — from toddlers to seniors — while addressing key needs in the community.
“We’re really excited to be able to open our doors to the community for children ages 1.5 to 12 years old, also for our teens and our seniors,” she said.
Plans for the complex include classrooms, a kitchen and cafetorium, a gymnasium and flexible community gathering spaces, along with a private courtyard and natural playground.
Williams said the space will go beyond traditional childcare.
“Not only are we a childcare center… we’re also gonna be a parks and recreation center for the community,” she said. “We’ll have infant care, a place for teens and seniors… a wellness center, library, even a DJ booth… and a pool to teach water safety.”
City leaders say Friday’s transfer is a key step — but emphasize the project still depends on community support and fundraising.
“Today was just another step in the process of getting to the new Hunton YMCA,” said Carlos Clanton. “We transferred the land officially now from the city to the organization… and we need the entire community to come out and support to make this happen.”
In a statement, Mayor Kenny Alexander called the project an investment in both the neighborhood and future generations.
“As it advances fundraising and finalizes the first phase of its new facility in our new Kindred community, where more than 300 children will be served each day through early childhood education, we are investing in a legacy of service and in the future of Kindred,” Alexander said.
The Hunton YMCA is one of just four remaining “Heritage YMCAs” in the country — a designation rooted in its history of serving Black communities during segregation. Founded in 1875, it is considered the second-oldest YMCA in the United States and the oldest independent YMCA still in operation.
Williams said that legacy remains central to the mission.
“We’ve been in this area for 150 years,” she said. “It’s really important that the community has somewhere safe to go where children can be loved on, empowered and thrive.”
She also emphasized the importance of representation within the community.
“We want to make sure that our community sees where we are, and it’s really important that our children see success in their community,” Williams said.
Councilman Clanton said keeping the YMCA rooted in the same neighborhood is key to its impact.
“It’s still in this community where people have known it for many, many different generations,” he said. “So we’re happy that it’s staying here.”
He added that the facility—at the site of the former Tidewater Gardens Elementary School—is expected to connect surrounding neighborhoods and serve as a centerpiece for ongoing redevelopment.
“It’s gonna be what I consider the crown jewel of the new greenway… an urban oasis,” Clanton said. “Most importantly, this entity is gonna have 300 opportunities for youth to be able to have childcare, which is something that’s truly needed within our city.”
For Councilman John "JP" Paige, the project carries deep personal meaning — and urgency.
“What this really means is that our children have another safe place, at a time where they need safe places more than any other time in our history,” Paige said.
Paige said the investment in early childhood development is key to addressing long-term challenges.
“It is so much better to prepare a child… than it is to repair adults,” he said. “We have so much trauma stacked on trauma that we’re dealing with in our communities.”He also highlighted the site’s historic ties to Norfolk State University.
“Norfolk State’s first classes were held at the Hunton YMCA,” Paige said. “So this is not just historical to Norfolk — this is nationally historical.”
Leaders say the moment also honors the legacy of Cecelia "Cee Cee" Tucker, a longtime advocate for the project who died in the summer of 2025.
“She really was an advocate for education and for safety for our children,” Williams said.
Hunton YMCA Board Chair Dan Banister said the project is about building for the future.
“Together we can make big things happen. Today brings us one step closer to it,” Banister said in a statement.
With land now secured and fundraising underway, leaders say the focus shifts to turning years of planning into reality — with hopes of breaking ground in fall 2026 and opening the doors the following year.
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