Residents raise safety and proximity concerns ahead of town halls on proposed respite facility in Second Ward

Council members and residents discussed a proposed respite housing facility (described by some presenters as a post-rehab respite house) for the Second Ward during the April 15 Michigan City Common Council meeting. Councilwoman Lee announced two town-hall meetings on April 30 (11:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.) at the former St. Anthony’s to gather public input.

Why it matters: neighbors and councilors flagged safety and siting questions because the facility’s proposed location is near school bus stops, an elementary school and residential blocks. Tom Nazimick, a nearby resident who said his home would share a property line with the proposed facility, attended a site visit to Porter County’s Respite Center in Valparaiso and told the council he remains concerned about security and neighborhood impacts if the facility is located in midtown: "Putting a drug rehabilitation facility that operates 24 hours around the clock in a neighborhood of families ... I think sends the wrong message to our young people," Nazimick said.

Council response and next steps: Councilwoman Lee said the April 30 sessions are intended to collect neighborhood input; she asked residents to attend. Council members emphasized that the facility model presented to them operates as a respite home after formal treatment and includes curfews and rules, but residents at the meeting said they want more information. Council members encouraged nearby residents to attend the April 30 sessions to review operations, security plans and proximity issues before the council or planning bodies take final action.

Status: two town halls scheduled for April 30 at 11:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. at the former St. Anthony’s; no council vote occurred at the April 15 meeting.