Newhallville residents hopeful new proposal will be positive for neighborhood instead of methadone clinic
Newhallville residents hopeful new proposal will be positive for neighborhood instead of methadone clinic
NEW HAVEN — Members of Newhallville-Hamden Strong say they want to make sure that any new organizations in the upper Dixwell Avenue neighborhood are positive additions.
While they are just beginning to look at a proposal for a “Resilience Academy” at 794 Dixwell Ave., it would be a better fit than the APT Foundation’s planned methadone clinic, they say.
Jeanette Sykes, chairwoman of the group’s steering committee, said they are working to maintain a positive focus as they work to improve the area on both sides of the New Haven-Hamden border, which has suffered from the pandemic, on top of poverty and a too-high crime rate.
“Residential is not a good fit for us,” when it comes to locating a methadone clinic, Sykes said. “Our goal is not to bash anyone. … We just don’t feel like it would be a good fit for our community.”
The partnership that includes the Rev. Boise Kimber, senior pastor of First Calvary Baptist Church, and Clifford W. Beers Guidance Clinic, is on Friday’s state Bond Commission agenda for a $2 million grant to buy the former Achievement First Elm City College Preparatory School from the APT Foundation.
The APT Foundation bought the property for $2.45 million in December and planned to move its headquarters, a methadone clinic and other facilities from 1 Long Wharf.
Mayor Justin Elicker said Friday the foundation has agreed to hold off on its plans for now, but the new proposal would depend on the foundation finding another site.
The new proposal would turn the former school into a community wellness and education center focused on youth and families, with a focus on recovering from trauma, Clifford Beers Chief Executive Officer Alice Forrester said.
“Right now, we’re researching on the proposal,” said Sykes, a Newhallville resident. “We want proposals that are going to be positive for our community. … We are certainly open for other proposals if anyone wants to put a positive proposal out there that will improve our community.”
Once Newhallville-Hamden Strong vets the proposal, it will go to the Newhallville Community Management Team, Sykes said.
She said Newhallville needs services to heal the community “around grief and loss, the food-distribution, having the COVID testing very close to our community.” Any proposal should recognize the diversity of the area as well, she said.
Barbara Vereen, Ward 20 co-chairwoman and member of the group, said while people are just beginning to discuss the proposed alternative, “I don’t think it’s a bad idea for our neighborhood. I think the community will have more discussions about it.”
Vereen said the neighborhood needs services such as before- and after-school child care, but “we need more details. There is going to be a meeting with the community about it because that is the proper thing to do.”
Residents were angered by the APT Foundation’s purchase of the onetime school without notice to the neighborhood. An online meeting in January brought out a lot of anger and complaints about litter and loitering around the foundation’s clinic at 495 Congress Ave., its largest.
APT Foundation CEO Lynn Madden did not return a request for comment.
“We’re trying to rebuild our community back too,” Vereen said. “We have small businesses that survived the pandemic. … Our neighborhood has suffered great trauma and we’re rebuilding from that.”
Forrester said the “Resilience Academy” would provide “early intervention, prevention, parenting support and educational after-school, before-school support. I think we can bring resources to the community that we’ve been able to do in Fair Haven” at the Farnam Neighborhood House, which joined Clifford Beers last July.
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