Plan would convert former Higley Mansion to substance abuse treatment facility

A North Liberty developer is pursuing a plan to convert the former Higley Mansion in southeast Cedar Rapids into a substance abuse treatment facility. The Cedar Rapids Planning Commission voted unanimously April 4 to advance the proposal, recommending rezoning the 1.67-acre property from T-RF, Traditional Residential Flex District, to T-RH, Traditional Residential High District. The new zoning designation would permit larger and higher density residential structures, as well as uses such as treatment facilities. Under the plan, the former Higley Mansion at 860 17th St. SE, which was most recently used as a senior living facility before closing a couple of years ago, would be converted into a residential treatment facility for adults dealing with substance addiction issues. Jacob Christenson of Cedar Rapids-based Covenant Family Solutions, which would operate the facility, said it would include 35 to 45 beds, with about 80% reserved for residential inpatient treatment and the other 20% for intensive outpatient or partial hospitalization programs. “What we're looking to do is to create an upscale, calming therapeutic environment for individuals to work on substance use disorders, and be able to unlock that potential that they have, to be able to get back to their lives and regain control,” Mr. Christenson said. He also said that while the facility would be a “closed campus,” residents would come to the facility willingly to receive treatment. “That does not mean that they are locked down,” he said. “It simply means that when you're working on addiction treatments, you're focused on that, and that is your primary concern. So there is no free time to go walk around the neighborhood … this is a voluntary program. This is not a post-incarceration or any type of transitional living. This is someone that could be a nurse, it could be someone in this room, someone that needs help, and they want to be helped. They're voluntarily coming to this facility.” Mike Bails of Dahnovan Builders LLC, the developer of the proposed project, said plans call for renovations to the grounds and the exterior of the historic mansion, with more extensive renovations on the interior. “From a beautification standpoint, from the outside, it's going to be the Higley Mansion as everyone knows it today,” Mr. Bails said. “It's just going to be better. The whole goal is to keep the integrity of what’s already there.” Exterior work would include a thorough cleaning, repainting, landscaping, and resurfacing the parking lot, clearing remaining debris from the 2020 derecho and renovating the “blighted” fence surrounding the property, Mr. Bails said. No new structures are currently planned for the property. City officials said the project is permitted by the city’s comprehensive plan and is considered to be consistent with the intent of the Mount Vernon Road Action Plan.

A neighborhood meeting on the project was held March 18, with most neighbors in favor of the plan, saying it would bring a vacant property back to life. “I think it's a good use of the space,” said Jean Kirby, who lives near the mansion. “My fears and questions have been allayed about people wandering in the neighborhood. My former ex-husband went through treatment that was very effective and helpful and useful, and I know we don't have that kind of facility close by. So I think this would be a real boon to the community and it would bring the property up, and we would all be safer and feel safer.” A public hearing on the rezoning proposal will be held April 23. The project would also require the issuance of a conditional use permit, which is set for consideration by the Board of Adjustment at its meeting May 16. If approved, the facility could open sometime in 2025.