A former YMCA building on Clay Street is once again being eyed for development.

“Right now, the focus is to find an investor who would like to develop a commercial business in the building so we can begin restoring it,” said Mike Hayes of Nashville, who bought the building in April 2000.

In addition, Hayes’ son, Tom, is still hoping to establish a blues museum in the building. Hayes said a development firm in Arizona has shown interest in investing in the property, however, he acknowledged any development would be months — and possibly years — away.

“The first step would be getting the building up to current codes,” said Hayes.

Hayes recently took over control of the building once again after Keystone Ministries, a local Christian charity, ended its lease. Keystone originally planned to purchase the building in 2004, but ended up leasing it. The charity group hoped to provide housing and jobs for people released from drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs and prison, as well as open a gospel-themed cafe. However, it could not afford the costs to bring the building up to today’s fire and safety codes for residential structures and, instead, operated a soup kitchen and other charity programs from the building.

Hayes leased the building to the YMCA, a downtown fitness center built in the 1920s, until 2002 when a new Y complex was built off East Clay Street. Hayes planned to develop the property into an apartment complex for seniors, but the plan fizzled. Soon after, Tom Hayes opened a small blues museum in the building. However, he discontinued it after about a year when it could not generate enough income to pay the utility bills and he did not receive any state or federal grants to improve the facility.

Nancy Bell, executive director of the Vicksburg Foundation for Historic Preservation, said it is not uncommon for potential developers to show interest in the city’s historic buildings, only to see the plans fall through when the costs of rehabilitation are tallied.

Built in 1923, the four-story building is on the National Register of Historic Places. While it is in need of roofing repairs and other work, Bell said, its amenities and location make it an ideal property for the right investor.

“It’s got all the amenities that would make it ideal for an apartment complex — a gym, cafeteria and pool — but it could be rehabbed for a number of uses,” said Bell, noting there are many state and federal tax incentives available for investors who rehab historic buildings.

A second former Y building at Walnut and Jackson streets was built with funds from the same philanthropist, Mrs. Junius Ward Johnson, and operated for use by blacks during segregation. Shortly after it was given to the to the city about 15 years ago, the building collapsed. Vicksburg built and operates the Jackson Street Community Center on that site.

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Contact Steve Sanoski at ssanoski@vicksburgpost.com.