New Berlin addiction recovery center project to move forward
NEW BERLIN, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Plans for a controversial recovery center proposed in New Berlin are moving forward.
After more than an hour of a closed session, New Berlin's Board of Appeals rejected the challenge against the Milwaukee Rescue Mission's New Journey Center.
The board needed four votes to approve the appeal, but that vote was split down the middle with two voting yes and two voting no. That means the center, called the New Journey Campus, can proceed.
"It’s a disappointment. It’s a disappointment," said Lanette and Michael McQuitty, members of New Berlin Citizens United.
"Well of course we’re glad," said Patrick Vanderburgh, the president and CEO of Milwaukee Rescue Mission.
There are mixed reviews on New Berlin's Board of Appeals' decision to reject New Berlin Citizen United's appeal to stop the Milwaukee Rescue Mission's New Journey Campus from being built.
"People are worried about crime going up. People are worried about values of their homes going down. There’s a lot of issues in this, that it could’ve went someplace else," said Micael McQuitty.
The dispute centered on whether the men's addiction recovery center qualified as a church under city zoning rules.
Vanderburgh says after months of delay awaiting their zoning permit, the project can finally move forward.
"We're glad the board of appeals confirmed what the city staff in the plan commission determined back in December -- that New Journey is an accepted use per the city code -- and so now, we’re looking forward to developing a project that we know is really going to be a blessing to the community," said Vanderburgh.
The Christian-based treatment program will serve more than 100 men and is set to be built right off of I-43 near Moorland Road.
"We are going to be a great asset to the community," said Vanderburgh. "Unless they are looking for us, they’re probably not even going to know we are there."
Despite Monday's ruling, members with NBCU say the fight is not over.
"You know, it is what it is, but I think that this is not the end," said Lanette and Michael McQuitty. "I think it will continue. I think there’s more work to be done."
Vanderburgh says they have to raise $12 million to build the new campus and hope to break ground on the project next year.