[NEW HAVEN, CT] – Following concerns raised by members of the Hill community and the recent vote by the City Plan Commission not to support the APT Foundation’s proposal to relocate its treatment facility on Congress Avenue and build a new one on Sargent Drive in the Long Wharf District at a site where they are already serving clients, the City of New Haven is putting the project on hold. As a result, the New Haven Board of Alders (BOA) has decided not to hear the proposed development agreement between the City of New Haven and the APT Foundation and has removed it from the agenda of its Community Development Committee scheduled for this Wednesday, July 30th. Following this decision, Mayor Elicker released the following statement:
“We believe the proposed new location on Sargent Drive is well-suited for the APT Foundation's new clinic and to consolidate its operations at one strategic location. We have also heard feedback from community members about their concerns and are considering that feedback.
Unfortunately, this means that for the foreseeable future, APT’s treatment facility will continue to remain at its current site on Congress Avenue – in the middle of a residential neighborhood and nearby the John C. Daniels School – which we do not believe is an appropriate setting. However, we will continue to work with Hill residents, the APT Foundation, and social service providers to do everything we can do address the specific concerns and challenges surrounding the current site.
Substance use disorder is a difficult issue that nearly every city in our nation is confronting at this moment. It is, of course, most challenging for individuals who are impacted by addiction and their families. Every one of us knows someone who is struggling with addiction and the road to recovery is not an easy one. While we are encouraged that there has been a steady downward trend in overdose deaths in recent years, New Haven still lost 72 individuals to fatal overdoses last year. The treatment offered at facilities like APT is the difference between life and death for many of our most vulnerable residents. We need to continue to extend compassion and care to those who are in desperate need of help so they can get the treatment and services they need in an appropriate and safe setting. We will continue to do everything we can as a city to ensure this happens.”
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PRESS CONTACT:
Lenny Speiller | 203-725-4249 ; lspeiller@newhavect.gov
