A proposed 16-bed mental health rehabilitation center near the Monterey County Jail in Salinas is facing growing opposition from residents concerned about its impact on the community.The facility, intended to treat individuals with serious mental health issues and potential drug abuse problems, has sparked criticism due to its proximity to homes and the inclusion of a 14-foot fence surrounding the site. Margaret Serna-Bonetti, a community advocate, expressed concerns about the facility’s location, saying, “That is got a 14-foot fence all the way around, completely butted up to homes. So if you look into this area, the homes here looking out their back window would be looking at this facility, floodlights.”Melanie Rhodes, a representative of the Monterey County Health Department, addressed community concerns, stating, “People are not going to be roaming around in the community. They’re going to be in the secured setting receiving intensive mental health treatment and support, psychosocial rehabilitation.”The project, located on Constitution near regional soccer fields and the county jail, aims to provide more placement options and keep patients close to family support systems. Any unused beds could be contracted out to other counties. Rhodes added, “And really looking at having this intensive treatment and services, so hopefully they can continue to stabilize and then can step down to community levels of placement when they’re ready.”Initially estimated at $45 million, the project’s cost has ballooned to $172 million over two years, with critics arguing there has been insufficient public outreach. Serna-Bonett noted, “And it started out as a refurbish at the county jail and then it ballooned into this. Why don’t I just make this big old building and put it over here and not tell anybody in the community.”Rhodes responded to the feedback, saying, “I take all feedback as constructive feedback. So how can we do things better in the future? We’re completely open and willing to have those conversations.”Residents are now advocating for alternative locations or a smaller version of the facility and have initiated their own community outreach efforts. Rhodes explained, “So we put together, you know, we’ve got fliers going out trying to inform the businesses, trying to inform the residents, trying to inform those at the schools. Everybody is shocked and surprised because we were we’ve never been informed.”A key meeting is scheduled for tomorrow morning at the County Health Department on Natividad, beginning at 10 a.m., offering a platform for both critics and supporters to voice their opinions. Another meeting is set for January 6, when county supervisors will review the plans and provide direction on the project’s future.
SALINAS, Calif. —
A proposed 16-bed mental health rehabilitation center near the Monterey County Jail in Salinas is facing growing opposition from residents concerned about its impact on the community.
The facility, intended to treat individuals with serious mental health issues and potential drug abuse problems, has sparked criticism due to its proximity to homes and the inclusion of a 14-foot fence surrounding the site.
Margaret Serna-Bonetti, a community advocate, expressed concerns about the facility’s location, saying, “That is got a 14-foot fence all the way around, completely butted up to homes. So if you look into this area, the homes here looking out their back window would be looking at this facility, floodlights.”
Melanie Rhodes, a representative of the Monterey County Health Department, addressed community concerns, stating, “People are not going to be roaming around in the community. They’re going to be in the secured setting receiving intensive mental health treatment and support, psychosocial rehabilitation.”
The project, located on Constitution near regional soccer fields and the county jail, aims to provide more placement options and keep patients close to family support systems.
Any unused beds could be contracted out to other counties.
Rhodes added, “And really looking at having this intensive treatment and services, so hopefully they can continue to stabilize and then can step down to community levels of placement when they’re ready.”
Initially estimated at $45 million, the project’s cost has ballooned to $172 million over two years, with critics arguing there has been insufficient public outreach.
Serna-Bonett noted, “And it started out as a refurbish at the county jail and then it ballooned into this. Why don’t I just make this big old building and put it over here and not tell anybody in the community.”
Rhodes responded to the feedback, saying, “I take all feedback as constructive feedback. So how can we do things better in the future? We’re completely open and willing to have those conversations.”
Residents are now advocating for alternative locations or a smaller version of the facility and have initiated their own community outreach efforts.
Rhodes explained, “So we put together, you know, we’ve got fliers going out trying to inform the businesses, trying to inform the residents, trying to inform those at the schools. Everybody is shocked and surprised because we were we’ve never been informed.”
A key meeting is scheduled for tomorrow morning at the County Health Department on Natividad, beginning at 10 a.m., offering a platform for both critics and supporters to voice their opinions.
Another meeting is set for January 6, when county supervisors will review the plans and provide direction on the project’s future.