Hillcrest Says No To Another Drug Rehab Facility

State officials are mulling over demands by local activists who want to halt the planned move of a Manhattan drug rehabilitation facility to Hillcrest.

The controversy involves the relocation of the Cornerstone Medical Arts Center Hospital from its current West 57th Street location to the former St. Joseph's Hospital site at 159-05 Union Tpke., an area that already has two drug rehabilitation facilities.

The former hospital building is located two blocks from drug treatment programs operated by Aurora Concept Inc. and Queens Hospital Center. Members of the community think enough is enough, and another drug rehabilitation facility in the area is just too much to ask of the community.

Spokesperson Jim Capolino said Cornerstone officials met with community representatives shortly after St. Joseph's closed to discuss plans to relocate the Cornerstone inpatient substance abuse program to Hillcrest by the end of 2007.

Plans call for the establishment of a 239-bed facility at the former St. Joseph's, which had a 155-bed capacity, an increase of more than 54 percent.

Community activists said the state Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) is reviewing neighborhood opposition to the move. Capolino said Cornerstone officials anticipated opposition by area residents and activists who voiced concern about the type of treatment programs that would be established at the former hospital site.

"People are concerned that Cornerstone might establish an outpatient program at the St. Joseph's site," Capolino said. "That is not going to happen," he stated. "We are strictly an inpatient program. We do not offer outpatient services nor do we plan to have outpatient services."

OASAS officials have reassured the community that the proposed move, along with concerns voiced by area residents, is under review. Officials plan to hold off on any final decision until current renovations at the former hospital site are completed.

Capolino said Cornerstone hopes to establish a neighborhood advisory committee where area residents and elected officials would be able to voice their concerns about the proposal.

- Liz Goff