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Metro Inclusive Health opens inside historic German American Club in Ybor City

Metro Inclusive Health opens inside historic German American Club in Ybor City

Metro Inclusive Health’s brand new facility inside the historic German American Club in Ybor City is officially open and providing vital care for those in the community. The brand new facility doubles the nonprofit’s impact in the city of Tampa.

The German American Club was built in 1909. METRO worked extensively and exhaustively to restore the building. Original column and brick work can be seen inside the offices and conference rooms inside. An array of local art and photography ornaments the walls as you navigate through the expansive space. Now, fully revitalized, the German American Club building can once again serve as a boisterous community events center.

The light fixtures that illuminate the grand hall were also part of the original structure. A spacious VIP on the second floor room offers a panoramic view of the entire hall. Crews are working swiftly to ready the space for visitors.

Once open, the grand hall will be home to dozens of social programs offered at little to no cost to LGBTQ+ youth, seniors, young adults and the trans community. Furthermore, what is certain to become one of the area’s most sought after event venues, community rentals of the elegantly restored Grand Hall will offset costs while allowing METRO to focus on expanding services.  

METRO’s new facility doubles Tampa services​

Metro Inclusive Health opened its 30,000-square-foot facility in Ybor Aug. 2, an expansion that will allow the nonprofit to double its services throughout the area.

The organization first pledged to do so in 2019, when along with longtime health partner CAN Community Health they acquired Ybor’s German American Club with Alliant Partners. They broke ground on the project that year.

To restore the historic structure and construct a 15,000-square-foot addition, Metro launched a Raise the Roof fundraising campaign. Of its $1 million goal, $400,000 has been raised.

That total includes $100,000 from the Vinik Family Foundation, managed by Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik and his wife Penny. The organization has donated more than $75 million to nonprofits since 1997.

“Healthy communities make successful communities,” Jeff Vinik said in a statement. “With Tampa Bay’s fast growth as a highly desirable place to live, work and play, the health equity services provided by Metro Inclusive Health are paramount to our communities long-term sustainability. We are so thankful for the work they do and are pleased to support their growth and impact on our Tampa Bay region.”

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