SPOKANE, Wash. — The City of Spokane announced it would not purchase the proposed property to relocate the addiction recovery center, Compassionate Addiction Treatment (CAT).
The Brown Administration said it instead plans to use the $1.8 million in funding to implement its new scattered site shelter model.
Many local businesses near the proposed CAT site were against the center relocating to their neighborhood, some saying there are already a lot of similar services in that neighborhood.
Dori Peck, executive director of SpokAnimal, commented on the situation. “Honestly, vandalism, theft, and garbage. We really can’t sustain more of that.”
Peck’s organization also displayed a “STOP CAT” sign outside its office.
Hallie Burchinal, executive director of CAT, responded to the opposition “We went from being a service provider, doing tough work, an incredibly hard-working team to ‘stop cat’ signs being put throughout an entire neighborhood as if we would do something harmful.”
In a recent update, Hunter Bertram reported the City of Spokane faced significant opposition to its plans for relocating Compassionate Addiction Treatment services. However, on Thursday, those plans were abandoned.
The proposed relocation was part of Mayor Lisa Brown’s scattered shelter model, which aimed to move homeless services, including CAT, off the Division Street corridor.
After being informed about the failed relocation, Peck expressed her gratitude. “I’m very grateful because the vandalism and the theft that we have every day is enough for a small nonprofit like we are to. We can barely manage what we have.”
CAT’s next step is to continue searching for a new location.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Addiction recovery center faces resistance in relocation to East Spokane neighborhood
Mayor Brown released the following statement about the city’s decision:
Every day, I hear calls for increased services and treatment options for members of our community who struggle with addiction. I have been clear in my intent to have the city be a partner to the providers offering these services, while simultaneously de-congregatingservices off the Division St corridor. But there are vocal critics who will never be satisfied with efforts to make those needed changes. Progress, it seems, is always welcome – just as long as it’s happening somewhere else.I call on those critics to come to the table and propose constructive solutions, rather than merely pointing out flaws. I also look forward to continuing our partnership with Spokane County to bring their behavioral health dollars to bear on these issues. Constructivedialogue is essential for progress, and those who raise concerns should also bring actionable items to move us forward.
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