Binghamton Residents Blast Plan for Crisis Center in Neighborhood

People who live in a tranquil Binghamton neighborhood are expressing outrage at an agency's plan to build a 20-unit crisis center near their homes.

Fairview Recovery Services submitted its proposal for a new three-story structure at its existing campus on the city's East Side.

The agency has operated various programs at the site off Fairview Avenue between Clapham and Merrick streets for decades.

Fairview Recovery has proposed constructing a new structure and a parking area to replace an "addiction stabilization center" now in operation at 247 Court Street. That facility is located just east of the site where the new Binghamton Fire Department headquarters is being constructed.

People who live near the Fairview Recovery Services campus have strongly criticized the project that would be built near their homes.

Dan Grassi, a Fairview Avenue resident, spoke at a city planning commission public hearing. He said "this is such a ludicrous proposal, I can't believe it's being taken seriously."

Grassi said "you don't put a crisis center in the middle of a quiet residential neighborhood." He said if the facility is built, "it'll destroy the neighborhood."

Planning commission members this week voted to reject Fairview's site plan for the project.

Attorney Sarah Campbell, who was representing Fairview, requested final action be delayed until next month's commission meeting because some members were absent.

Fairview Recovery Services executive director Patrick Haley did not return calls to discuss the commission's initial decision not to approve the site plan review. Campbell could not be reached for comment

City planning housing and community development assistant director Tito Martinez did not return calls seeking comment on the status of the project.

Enter your number to get our free mobile app

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.