Addiction rehabilitation program seeks new location

A local group met with WRAP to express concerns about the rehabilitation program.
By AMANDA GARRETT
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Warren Redevelopment and Planning Corp. is looking at other places of residence for a faith-based addiction rehabilitation program, after neighbors objected to its being placed in a historic Mahoning Avenue home.
WRAP determined that the Woods-McCombs House, 624 Mahoning, would be inappropriate for the rehabilitation center after speaking with Reformers Unanimous and area residents, WRAP director Anthony Iannucci Jr. said.
The reasons for the decision were threefold, Iannucci said.
"There were too many people for that size of home and the home itself needed a lot more renovation," he said. "Also, residents had some concerns about the program."
Number of residents
Directors of Reformers Unanimous planned on putting up to 30 residents at the home, the Rev. Gary Gill, Vienna chapter director, said.
Reformers Unanimous is a Christian-based program with more than 400 U.S. chapters. The local chapter is sponsored by the Liberty Bible Church in Fowler. The Rev. Mr. Gill said he was upset by news that the Woods house wouldn't be the new home for the rehabilitation center.
"It was a heartbreaking situation," he said. "I was ready to get rolling, but we got put on the pause button for a while."
Iannucci said he received two calls Friday morning from other people interested in allowing Reformers Unanimous to use their facilities. Iannucci declined to give any names and locations because the offers are so preliminary.
Reformers Unanimous is looking both with WRAP and at other locations around the area, Mr. Gill said.
"Anyone who has a facility large enough for us, we would be interested in it," he said.
The group would like a 3,000-square foot structure to house about 30 men. Eventually, it would like to add a facility for women and teens.
Mr. Gill said the group had six men ready to go into the Woods house and the Reformers Unanimous headquarters in Rockford, Ill., was planning on sending more men to the Warren location. Mr. Gill said he thinks Reformers Unanimous will be able to find a new place soon. "With God all things are possible," he said.
As for the Woods house, WRAP will continue looking for renters or buyers who want to use the property for a residence or commercial development, Iannucci said.
A group of residents met with Iannucci on Wednesday evening to express their concerns about the rehabilitation program.
Warren Councilman Alford Novak, D-2nd, said his constituents raised their concerns about the rehabilitation program loudly and clearly.
"We need development but not that kind of development," he said. "People were telling me, 'not in my neighborhood.'"
Novak said he would like to see the Woods home become a residence or professional business.
"That type of facility wasn't appropriate for the property," he said. "We're in a historic district."