The Complex, Granite City

The Journal yesterday covered Granite City's new youth center, dubbed "The Complex."

Almost 10 years in the making, the center, composed of what had been the front offices of the Granite City Press Record-Journal, has something for almost every age, including:

• A game room
• An area for small concerts
• A coffee house
• A separate coffee room for adults
• A computer room

The Complex opens later this month or early next month.

"It's a very good deal," Granite City Police Chief Rich Miller. "...I hope what it does is give the kids somewhere to go instead of sitting at home being bored or going out on the street and doing something criminal or something inappropriate with alcohol and drugs."

He said all three departments will have some kind of a presence at the center, including doing some anti-drug and anti-smoking programs.

"I think this is going to be an amazing opportunity for kids to get off the street instead of going out and doing stuff they're not supposed to be doing," said Garrett Brown, 14, of Granite City. "Parents won't have to worry about their kids, they'll know where they are."

This, added to Tanks Gym & Training Facility in the back of the building, a new coffee shop down the street, the first art gallery opening later this year, and a 3-screen movie theater opening later this year, makes for a great kick start to downtown Granite City.

Granite City Youth Center
1815 Delmar Ave., Granite City
3-7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays

More Granite City updates on Twitter, @GraniteCity.

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