News

Peabody Y buys land for extra parking

By Matthew K. Roy
Staff writer
Published: December 4, 2008

PEABODY — Expect the search for a parking space at the bustling Peabody-Lynnfield YMCA to get a little bit easier.

The YMCA recently purchased an abutting house at 265 Lynnfield St. that it plans to demolish and replace with 40 new parking spaces, said Greg Griffin, director of operations for the Peabody-Lynnfield facility. The YMCA bought the property, roughly one-third of an acre, for $292,500 from Barbara and Eric Romeo.

"It will help greatly," Griffin said of the additional parking. "During the busiest times, it's very tight and people end up parking along Lynnfield Street. We want to eliminate that as much as possible."

Because of the proximity to wetlands, the YMCA has hired an engineer to develop a drainage system to accompany what will be a paved lot. The organization is scheduled to present its design for the lot, which will be installed in front of the gym, to the Conservation Commission on Dec. 10.

Once the YMCA gains the commission's approval, it will seek a demolition permit from the city. Some fill will need to be added to the property to accommodate the lot.

The YMCA hopes to at least have the home demolished by the spring, Griffin said. In the meantime, the Fire Department will use the empty house for training purposes, he said.

The YMCA was before the Conservation Commission over the summer because it paved a back parking lot without getting the commission's blessing. A drainage system has since been installed and the issue has been resolved, Griffin said yesterday.

The $7.5 million Peabody-Lynnfield YMCA opened in the fall of 2006. It includes an eight-lane indoor swimming pool, a cardiovascular and strength-training fitness center, preschool and school-age child-care centers, a full-sized gymnasium, and an indoor running track.

The facility is used by just under 11,000 members, Griffin said. The new lot will bring the number of parking spaces up to 175, he said.