Harper Woods residents oppose rehab facility

Facility would back up to park where children play

HARPER WOODS, Mich. – St. John Providence Health System wants to renovate the now closed St. Peter Parish in Harper Woods and turn the location into a drug and alcohol rehab facility. The problem is that people who live in the neighborhood don't want it in their backyards.

"Our concerns obviously are that this is a very private neighborhood," said resident Jennifer Miller. "If somebody is in that much need of a detox, why would they not be placed at a main hospital, where there is major security?" Miller said.

Miller and others are worried not only about security but also their property values going down. The building backs up to a park where lots of children play.

Representatives from St. John Hospital released a statement saying in part, "If approved, we intend to work with local residents to be a good neighbor as we go forward."

But before anything moves forward, the area would have to be rezoned and approved by the planning commission. It would then go to City Council, where council member Cheryl Costantino said she would vote against it.

"I have not found one person who is in support of it," Miller said. "Everybody is against it, and for a number of reasons, but mostly because this is a local community. This would be coming into a neighborhood, a neighborhood with a park and a lot of children in the area."


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