Greater Austin YMCA and Millennium Partners Submit Planned Unit Development Application to Reimagine TownLake YMCA Campus
Integrated mixed-use project to transform one of Austin’s most important community sites
AUSTIN, TX – The Greater Austin YMCA, in partnership with developer Millennium Partners, today submitted a Planned Unit Development (PUD) application to the City of Austin to reimagine the downtown TownLake YMCA campus. The proposed project would transform one of Austin’s most important civic sites into an integrated, mixed-use community featuring a flagship YMCA, childcare, affordable and market-rate housing and significant environmental and public infrastructure improvements.
The proposed design represents a new model for how partnerships for a thoughtful mixed-use development can help cities address multiple civic priorities at once. Central to the development is a 110,000 square-foot YMCA facility designed to serve as a community-focused health, wellness and resilience hub. The facility will expand youth programming and education, access to affordable childcare and mental health services.
Another major element is significant investment in affordable housing. In partnership with Foundation Communities, the project would create 90 affordable housing units on-site in the downtown core. The project’s integrated residential towers provide the economic foundation that makes these community benefits possible.
"The PUD submission marks a major milestone in our greater vision for the future of Austin," said Kathy Kuras, president and CEO of the Greater Austin YMCA. "This project is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform downtown Austin and address our community’s most pressing needs. Together with Millennium Partners, we’re creating a vibrant community where families can live, learn, work, and play."
Walter Moreau, executive director of Foundation Communities, said, “We are very excited about the opportunity to create new affordable housing for families in this incredible location right next door to the YMCA. Families will have amazing fitness, childcare and other amenities right outside their doorstep.”
The development also includes substantial environmental enhancements, designed to become one of the most sustainable YMCA facilities in the world. Planned improvements include a first of its kind blackwater recycling system in the condominium buildings, closed-loop water management (approximately 20 million gallons of annual water savings), net-zero carbons operations, solar and geothermal systems, high performance building envelope and energy recovery, and restoration to Lady Bird Lake and the surrounding creek and native habitat.
"Millennium Partners’ philosophy has always centered around thoughtful urban development that generates meaningful public benefit for generations to come,” said Richard Baumert, partner at Millennium Partners. "The proposed development is one of a kind and will serve as a prototype for future YMCA developments nationally and globally, and is a scalable model for integrating wellness, housing, sustainability and community development.”
Beyond its community and environmental benefits, the proposed development is expected to generate more than $1 billion in taxable value, create hundreds of construction and permanent jobs, while strengthening the long-term financial sustainability of all YMCA programming across Greater Austin.
For project information visit https://www.austinymca.org/loc... Greater Austin YMCA: The Greater Austin YMCA® is a dynamic force elevating quality of life in Greater Austin by boldly expanding access for all children, adults, families and seniors in our rapidly growing community. For nearly 75 years, the Greater Austin YMCA has evolved to address each community's greatest needs, touching every phase of life and nurturing happier, healthier people, a stronger community and a better world.
We believe everyone deserves access to quality programs that are keeping our community strong. As a proud 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we provide financial assistance to expand access for our community members to learn, grow and thrive through our early learning childcare centers, fitness centers, youth programs, future workforce development, adult programming, mental health counseling and more.
The Y serves nearly 145,000 people each year across Travis, Williamson and Hays counties in eight community fitness centers, nearly 50 licensed campuses in four school districts and two YMCA Tomorrow Academy™ locations. Globally, the YMCA is one of the oldest and largest youth-serving organizations in the world. More information is available at www.austinymca.org.
Details
July 27, 2026
Greater Austin YMCA
Name: Sean Doles
Phone: 512-923-5015
Email: sean.doles@austinymca.org