A Dutchess County city is one step closer to having a brand-new youth center.

The YMCA in the city of Poughkeepsie was once busy with action, but it has been sitting abandoned for the last 10 years.

A proposal to make it a youth empowerment center took a step forward Monday with the city's Common Council unanimously approving the transfer of the vacant building over to county government.

 



In the next few months, 

the county Legislature will need to greenlight the project and a proposed $25 million investment before breaking ground.

 





"It's something we can all be proud of because it's going to create a place for the citizens of our city, children, and families," says Poughkeepsie Mayor Rob Rolison.



"It's very exciting, and this will be a transformational project for Dutchess County,"

 

says Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro.