Our mission in Newhallville/Hamden is to continue building a community of love, respect, safety, opportunity and quality of life with healthy families, neighborhood associations, strong schools, successful businesses, and places of worship. We are already fighting against the structural racism that confronts us every time we leave our homes, which has further been exacerbated by the disproportionate impact of COVID deaths, school closures, digital divides, unemployment, crime and gun violence.
Now, it has come to our attention and astonishment that the APT Foundation has purchased 794 Dixwell Avenue with plans to relocate their administrative offices and a methadone clinic. Even more troublesome is that there was no outreach to the Newhallville/Hamden community or their elected officials. In addition, they have not been good stewards over their current facilities on Long Wharf Drive and Congress Avenue. For instance, they have been located on Congress Avenue for over 21 years and the Hill residents continue to be overwhelmed and at risk by:
- Increased traffic, crime, violence, vagrancy, and indecencies
- Decreased property values for homeowners and businesses
- Negative impact on student safety and school climate
Furthermore, we think it is extremely counterproductive to place patients with substance abuse disorders in a community that is already struggling. We’re making great strides towards a bright future. Therefore, we are asking our elected officials to stand with us and vote NO against the relocation of a methadone clinic to 794 Dixwell Avenue in New Haven on the Hamden town line, and to find alternate solutions to treating county patients suffering from addiction.