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This brick-and-limestone building, with Art Deco and Gothic ornamentation, was constructed by the German community in 1923-24 as a social and civic center. Its primary purpose was a venue for physical fitness and educational programs for the community. Owned by the City of Belleville since 2006 and vacant, the building is in need of a new use and immediate repairs. A grassroots organization has offered to raise funds for repairs and to develop a plan for converting the building into a visual and performing arts center, but the City has not expressed interest.



The two-story, corner building was built as part of the German Turnverein movement with a “strong mind in a strong body” philosophy that prospered within the German population of Belleville. The gymnasium was the core of the structure and the largest Turner gym ever built in the United States. The building served as an armory during World War II and the Korean War, as a teen center in the 1950’s, and as a home to the YMCA starting in1959. Due to its own financial constraints, the YMCA did minimal upkeep of the building. In 2006, the YMCA gave the building to the City and it has since remained vacant and in a deteriorating state.



In 2009, the Mayor appointed a committee to generate reuse ideas for the building. The committee recommended that the City issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) to redevelop it, but the RFP resulted in no feasible responses.



In 2010, a group of citizens formed the Belleville Arts and Culture Society (BACS) and proposed to the committee a plan for a visual and performing arts center. Despite local interest, from both residents and area arts organizations, and a $10,000 donation to make temporary repairs to the roof, the City has not allowed the plan to move forward, citing lack of funds. The City has estimated, at minimum, $500,000 for demolition costs, while the cost of stabilizing the roof is estimated at approximately $45,000. Some fear that the City may prefer to sell or give the building to the County for parking, since county offices are across the street.

Tags:  brick-and-limestone building community educational programs immediate repairs