DOWNEY - The Downey YMCA and the Columbia Memorial Space Center are both preparing to start significant projects in the construction of a brand-new facility and the Inspiration expansion, respectively.

Both projects will be costly. Both have their merits. Both should be prioritized.

But when the Downey Y Board approached the city council two weeks ago to ask for assistance, something strange happened.

They were pitted against one another.

No one will argue the benefits and services that both the YMCA and the Columbia Memorial Space Center bring to the City of Downey. The proof is in the pudding.

The Y offers countless programs for the young, the old, and those in between. Be it through swim lessons, use of the fitness facilities, camps, after-school child care, the Easter Caravan, scholarships, or any of its other community outreach, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone in Downey who hasn’t been touched by the Y in some shape or form.

The nationally recognized memorial to the Columbia Shuttle disaster, the CMSC has established itself as a STEM hub; you need only look at its popular Girls in STEM program, attend the crowded Rocket Fever Festival, measure the wide footprint of City of STEM, or take note of the many busloads of kids on field trips (even beyond Downey Unified) to see that.

The thing is, when considering their respective projects, it's apples and oranges.

First and foremost, the Columbia Memorial is a publicly-owned building and organization, as opposed to Downey YMCA which is privately owned by YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles.

It makes natural and logical sense for the city to provide funding towards the Space Center and its projects, as it does so already as part of its yearly fiscal budget.

Beyond that, a majority of the CMSC’s already procured fundraising has an expiration date.

The city has raised around $11 million so far, and will likely need more than double that before the project’s conclusion, per comments made by Mayor Claudia M. Frometa at the last council meeting.

The largest single chunk of that change, according to CMSC Director Ben Dickow, comes from a 2019 state budget allotment, which requires it be used by March 1, 2025.

It’s a use it or lose it scenario.

The Y in comparison has a conservative $10 and a half million of the over $14 million (potentially as much as $18 million) it will need either pledged or in the bank, according to Board member Steve Roberson.

Part of those funds came from former Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia, who pledged $3 million, which must be spent by Jan. 31, 2025.

Still, if the city is worried that helping fund the new Y facility will set a precedent, they need not worry about doing so.

It’s already there.

In September last year, the City Council agreed to donate $30,000 to The Downey Rose Float Association. At the time, the sum was said to have been enough to “cover the cost of flowers” alone that year.

It wasn’t a particularly difficult decision for the council; in fact, it was approved unanimously, and even discussed to potentially be a recurring expense added to the yearly budget.

Again, no one is saying that the Downey Rose Float is not worthy to be supported and / or funded (quite the opposite, in fact).

But spending taxpayer dollars can be finicky; residents tend to be very keen observers and particularly critical when it comes down to where their money is going, and for what.

Ultimately, the city council needs to make up its mind: does it want to fund non-city projects from nonprofits and service organizations, or not?

If the answer is yes, then it should still do so in a responsible, organized manner.

Budget out some sort of grant each year. Have each organization apply for what they need, and divvy out accordingly.

Rose Float needs flowers? Downey Y needs assistance with their new building? Kiwanis or Rotary has a project? Split up the grant amongst them, according to need.

Most importantly, make it finite; when it’s gone, it’s gone.

If the city council does not want to go that route, then they need to find creative ways to show their support indirectly, as they have done so before.

The city has traditionally waived fees, provided space, offered police support, etc., for groups who were putting on fundraisers and / or events.

For example, The Downey Symphony, The Downey Arts Coalition, and Downey Rose Float are all considered “legacy groups” at the Downey Theatre - receiving rental credits, stage availability, and other benefits – saving them thousands of dollars.

The city of Downey is fortunate enough that there are many service organizations and nonprofits who serve the community, and the city council is right in their desire to show their support in any way they can.

However, it needs to be done frugally and responsibly, and it should never come at the expense of the city’s own facilities and programming.

It’s not a question of the Downey Y versus the Space Center, and it never should be.

OP-ED: City should support non-profits, just not with blank checks