168 Lincoln Avenue, Syracuse
SYRACUSE -- The Syracuse Common Council has given the go-ahead for a controversial group home for recovering addicts on the city's southwest side. The Council approved the proposal by a vote of 8 to 1 Monday at a meeting that was packed by supporters of the proposed home at 168 Lincoln Avenue.
Syracuse United Neighbors failed to convince the councilors to block the group home which it claims would attract drug dealers and crime to an area that is struggling to improve itself. SUN also says that part of the city is "saturated" with such institutional facilities.
Syracuse Behavioral Healthcare says the facility would be very tightly run and would improve the neighborhood. "What we propose to the community will make the neighborhood safer." said Jeremy Klemanski.
Syracuse Councilor Kathleen Joy struck a compromise that won support for the home. SBH agreed to establish a neighborhood advisory committee, agreed not to expand the facility, nor establish others in that part of Syracuse. The city would also conduct a review after 6 months to ensure the group home was living up to its promises.
"This is not a vote today on fair housing for people in recovery. It's about this building and this neighborhood and making sure this facility will be a good neighbor." Joy told the standing room only crowd.
