On a bike ride, I stopped by the house at 506 Ferry St. on Dec. 23, 2024.
A century-old house in Albany’s Monteith Historic District may be turned into an outpatient treatment center for people with drug or alcohol problems.
Angela Kelly and Sarah Soric, owners of Recovery First LLC, an addiction rehabilitation center, bought the house at 506 Ferry St. last May for $551,000.
They have asked the City of Albany for a conditional use permit to allow use of the house as an outpatient center with one-on-one treatment and group therapy.
The Albany Hearings Board, comprised of three members of the city’s planning commission, will hold a public hearing on the request at 4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, in the council chamber at City Hall.
The house was built in 1925, according to the Linn County online tax records. No exterior changes are proposed at this time, and if any are necessary later, approval will be needed from the Albany Landmarks Commission.
The property is across Ferry Street and Fifth Avenue from two churches and kitty-corner from the Linn County Courthouse.
According to the application, the house will have five rooms for counselors to meet with clients, one at a time. Group sessions will have up to 12 people meeting with one counselor.
“It is anticipated that the maximum number of people in the building will not exceed 30,” the application states.
On weekdays, parking around the courthouse is hard to find. The application says most clients of the treatment center are expected to be dropped off or come from the nearest bus stop five minutes’ walk away. The nearest public parking lot is outside Two Rivers Market at Ferry and Third.
The city planning staff says the application meets the development code’s requirements for a conditional use as a “community service.” The staff recommends that the hearings board approve the request. (hh)
I hope this is approved , these ladies are amazing people who truly care about helping people, the things you will learn are far more than just about drugs and alcohol, they treat it all, trauma, mental health, and life skills , they truly teach you how to create a new way of thinking and living to build a foundation for success.
If approved, the middle of a residential neighborhood? Probably not the brightest idea. We’ll see how the neighbors feel after a few months.
I hope the community can find kindness and support for those in need of help.
Addiction does not discriminate. This treatment center could help anyone’s daughter, son, mother, father…
These women are an asset to a community in need.
Should be good. Large part of dT (down town) is health care. Hospital ! Chiropractic. Massage. Psychiractry Medical Offices aka Sam Health. I could go on.
Good Luck!
This will be the third new treatment center in this general area— one overlooking the river on the Dave Clark Trail, one on Elm Street and 11th, and now this historic Civil War era home remodeled in 1925. It’s just curious that they are all centered in SW Albany. The block for this newest endeavor also features an Oxford House.
Good for them. These types of facilities are a positive solution to help people make changes in their lives. Addiction and mental health are complicated issues that require treatment plus the skills to adjust to a life without drugs, alcohol, and to be an advocate for your own mental well being. The information on the company lists it as a profit organization which requires it to have strict operating practices and accountability. If it is nonprofit or will have some nonprofit affiliates it may cause some concern as far as their accountability. This could be a light at the end of the tunnel for many people. Helping people help themselves is a powerful gift.