Councilmember Sandra Ung today joined YMCA leadership, members of the Flushing YMCA Board of Directors, YMCA members and Helen Lee, Principal, of the F&T Group to announce she has secured just over $1 million in City funding to help bring a long-awaited new YMCA facility to downtown Flushing.

The new state-of-the-art facility will be built as part of Phase Two of the Flushing Commons development, a mixed-use project located on the site of a current parking lot bounded by 37th and 39th Avenues and 137th Street. Under an agreement with the New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC), developer F&T Group will construct the new 62,000-square-foot community facility as part of its larger development. The funding secured by Councilmember Ung will be used for equipment and other critical needs to prepare the YMCA to serve its members.

The Flushing YMCA is currently housed in an aging building on Northern Boulevard. The new downtown facility will provide expanded, modernized space to better serve the neighborhood’s growing and diverse population.

“As someone who grew up at the Flushing YMCA and served on its Board of Directors, I know how vital this institution is to our community,” said Councilmember Sandra Ung. “The YMCA is where seniors come to stay healthy and active, where adults gather to play basketball and exercise, where children learn to swim, and where teens can find a safe and productive place after school. For generations, it has been a cornerstone of community life in Flushing.”

“We are deeply grateful to Council Member Sandra Ung for her extraordinary support and leadership in securing a $1,001,000 capital award for the new Flushing YMCA at Flushing Commons,” said Sharon Greenberger, President & CEO, YMCA of Greater New York. “This investment is not just in bricks and mortar — it’s in the health, well-being, and future of the Flushing community. Thanks to Councilmember Ung’s commitment, we are one step closer to opening a welcoming space where children can thrive, families can connect, and residents of all ages can grow stronger together.”

“We are deeply grateful to Councilmember Sandra Ung for her steadfast support of the Flushing YMCA,” said Heidy Lopez, Flushing YMCA Executive Director. “Thanks to her advocacy, we’ve secured $1 million in capital funding for our new facility — a major step toward creating a vibrant, inclusive space for all. As we near our 100th anniversary, this milestone reminds us of the power of community and what we can achieve together. Our new YMCA will be more than a building — it will be a home for growth, connection, and belonging for every generation.”

“For more than 30 years, F&T has been building in Flushing with a deep commitment to the community we proudly call home,” said Helen Lee, Principal of F&T Group. “Through projects like Flushing Commons Phase 2 and our partnership with the Flushing YMCA, we remain dedicated to creating spaces that leave a lasting positive impact by strengthening families, creating opportunities, and making Flushing a better place for generations to come.”

After experiencing delays due to the pandemic, Phase Two of Flushing Commons is currently expected to be completed by the end of 2028. Councilmember Ung acknowledged the long wait for the project to move forward, but expressed optimism that the finish line is finally in sight.

“The Flushing YMCA, its members and the broader Flushing community have been eagerly awaiting the completion of this project and the new YMCA facilities, but I believe we are finally getting close to making this long-promised project a reality,” said Councilmember Ung. “I am proud to have secured this City funding to help outfit the new YMCA, and I look forward to the day when this facility opens its doors and continues serving Flushing for generations to come.”