Opposition expected at hearing for proposed drug treatment center in Fairview Heights
The Fairview Heights Planning Commission will hold public hearings Tuesday on three proposed special-use permits, including one that has generated opposition on social media.
An Indiana company wants to turn a vacant complex on Ruby Lane that used to house Charles Gardens Retirement Community into an inpatient drug-and-alcohol treatment center.
The commission also will consider a proposed event space in Fairview Heights Plaza and a DashMart warehouse and fulfillment center for DoorDash in Marketplace Shopping Center. All would need final approval from the Fairview Heights City Council.
The Sunrise Recovery treatment center would be similar to the company’s 36-bed facility in Clarksville, Indiana, which diagnoses and treats men and women addicted to alcohol or other drugs, according to a letter from CEO Brandy Phillips.
“Our goal is to partner with (the city) to get these struggling individuals the recovery help they need with the least amount of disruption to their lives in hopes that they can become successful, contributing members of your community,” the letter states.
Sunrise hopes to open the treatment center in fall 2023. Plans call for one structure to be demolished and replaced with a restaurant.
Zoned multi-family residential
Phillips described the typical Sunrise program as 30 to 45 days of inpatient treatment with “accountability, structure and expert clinical and peer guidance,” combined with case management to ensure patients leave the facility with solid discharge plans and a bright future.
The 10.6-acre complex at 120 S. Ruby Lane is now zoned multi-family residential (condominiums, apartments or senior housing), so a treatment center doesn’t conform to the city’s comprehensive plan, according to an agenda packet compiled by staff.
Several commenters on a Facebook page called Fairview Heights IL Chatter have objected to the granting of a special-use permit and encouraged residents to oppose it at the hearing.
“Directly next to a neighborhood and major city park is the wrong choice! It will drive down property values and cause the largest, most visited park in Fairview to become unsafe,” one wrote.
Others argued that the number of people with opioid and other addictions is growing across the country, and the only way to solve the problem is to get them professional help.
One commenter maintained that crime is worse around liquor and convenience stores than treatment centers.
Goal is delivery in 30 minutes
“DashMart” is the term used by the delivery service DoorDash for warehouses full of packaged food items and “household essentials” commonly found in convenience stores (ice cream, frozen meals, soda, paper products, over-the-counter medicine, etc.).
Customers can order through the DoorDash website or mobile app. Some locations also allow pick-ups.
The San Francisco-based company plans to lease a vacant 13,913-square-foot space in Marketplace Shopping Center, southwest of the Interstate 64 and Illinois 159 interchange, near Best Buy.
“Our core focus at DashMart is quick deliveries of these goods,” according to an information sheet submitted by DoorDash representative Anthony Aceves, noting the goal is 30 minutes or less.
The company expects to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in Fairview Heights, employing 15 to 20 people and utilizing 75 to 150 independently contracted delivery drivers, known as “Dashers.”
The bulk of the DashMart space would house a “picking-and-packing” operation with offices for management.
“We also like to partner with local merchants to help them expand their reach to customers,” the information sheet states. “In order to achieve that, we often offer local goods as well through our platform.”
Space for life’s celebrations
O’Fallon resident Lakesha Hill hopes to open an event space in a vacant storefront at Fairview Heights Plaza shopping center, northwest of the Interstate 64 and Illinois 159 interchange.
Specifically, the storefront is at 73 Ludwig Drive, between the Guitar Center and Urban Air Adventure Park.
“Studio 618 LLC is a chic, multipurpose rental event space, with approximately 4,030 square feet,” according to Hill’s application for a special-use permit.
“The purpose of this event space would be for the celebration of wedding receptions, baby showers, corporate events, church events, workshops, special events and more.”
Hill hopes to start renting this fall.
Public hearings on the three special-use permits will begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Fairview Heights City Hall. They also will be live-streamed. More information can be found on the city’s website.
This story was originally published July 11, 2022 at 7:00 AM.
