Group Trying to Save Historic YMCA Building Sued by YMCA

A group seeking to save the Historic YMCA building in downtown St. Petersburg faces a lawsuit from the YMCA for using its name in marketing and fundraising materials.

Tom Nestor, the man leading the charge to save the Historic YMCA and turn it into the St. Petersburg Rock and Roll Museum, told Patch that his group intends to fight the suit and will not stop using the name because of "fair use."

Since the name of the building itself is registered with the city as the Historic YMCA, Nestor asked if the YMCA would then sue the city, media and public officials who call it the Historic YMCA as well. 

"We reached out to them and their response was to file (suit)," Nestor said of his contact with the YMCA. "There was no desire to meet with us. It's very unnerving but in reality, after I look at the whole case and look at what we are doing, I’m fully confident we’ll win and that they are on in the wrong."

According to a report by the Tampa Bay Times, YMCA-Chicago said letting the group use the Historic YMCA name is, "likely to cause confusion, mistake or deception' and lead the public to believe it is approved by YMCA-USA."

Nestor said he thinks the YMCA will receive plenty of backlashes from the public who stepped up to funding the building's construction originally and who are donating money to save it now.

"The (YMCA) made a major error in really understanding and how St. Petersburg residents feel for that building," Nestor said. "The community is very upset with the YMCA and they are voicing their opinions directly to (the) organization." 

Despite with the suit, Nestor said the group's goal remains the same, saving the historic building. 

"Even if they won the case, we’re still going to go save the building," Nestor said. "(However,) when you look at the case, there is no confusion, there is no illusion of the trademark. Only fair use."

The plan to save the Historic YMCA got a big boost recently when Doctor Robert J. Wallace joined the team and donated $360,000 to save the building. 

Nestor said with Wallace's investment, it buys the group at least another year to come up with more money to help turn the building into a music museum and venue. 

If you want to tour the building, Nestor and co. are providing guided tours every Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. 

For more information about the Historic YMCA plan, you can visit its website at historicymca.com. 

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