TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)– Thomas Manson has lived in Farrington’s Grove for several years and he said he wants to see the historic neighborhood flourish.
But Manson said a new 28 day treatment center for those battling addictions could hinder that.
“This not an issue of not in my backyard. This is a zoning issue,” he said. “We’d really like the city to defend Terre Haute, the zoning laws and not allow this facility to be smack dab of the middle of a single and multifamily residential neighborhood.”
Mark Collins also live in the historic district and he said he feels repurposing this vacant building on 6th street could help the neighborhood’s value.
“In my opinion, when I’m driving around looking for a house, I want to see the other homes occupied and filled and taking care of the property,” Collins explained. “If it’s not occupied, it’s going to go into disrepair. There will be more vandalism and more break ins.”
Chosen Terre Haute LLC’s Hickory House Treatment Center aims to house 38 residents for a 28-day stay.
The center’s staff will pick up patients to bring them to the facility and patients won’t be allowed to leave until the program ends.
Once a patient finishes treatment, they’ll be taken their next destination by Hickory House employees.
Richard Shagley, Representing Attorney with Chosen Terre Haute LLC, said it’ll be the first of it’s kind locally.
“There’s studies out there that show that a lot can happen on the way to treatment and as you’re exiting treatment,” Shagley said. “They’re just trying to take away opportunities to fall backwards in your treatment path. Even though there is other treatment in this area, there is none like this in Vigo county.”
Hickory house owners said they want to address issues within the community.
Shagley said they hope the new facility will help.
“This fits in that wheelhouse of treatment as opposed to someone sitting in a jail. This a way to prevent and assist jail overcrowding and of this problem we have in our community.”
Chosen Terre Haute LLC requested that the city council table the discussion of rezoning the property until Feb. 4. The issue was originally set to come up during their Jan. 14 meeting, but there were scheduling conflicts.
