Ceremonial groundbreaking took place Tuesday on a new residential treatment facility at Lackawanna's Baker Victory Services.
The new building will be constructed at the Martin Road Campus on a plot of land a short distance away from cinder block cottages built in the 1950s. Currently living in those cottages are 40 teens and young adults who require special treatment and care around the clock.
Bishop of Buffalo Richard Malone blessed the new site. He said that the new building will be a much better facility.
“A facility that will be contemporary in every way with all of the latest kind of technologies and everything else,” Described Malone. “People talk a lot about the security – and that’s an important thing – but I think it also will be a much more dignified environment for living and learning for them.”
Despite the improvement for the residents and staff, locals in Lackawanna may not be as pleased. It’s something Bishop Malone understands.
“It’s almost inevitable when a facility of this sort comes into a neighborhood, that people have their concerns,” said Malone.
The residential services program is not new, so safety and security is the main concern. Baker Victory officials said suggestions by local police and fire departments, as well as members of the community were taken into consideration during planning. Malone noted that state-of-the-art security is part of a grander picture.
“Not only will things be secure in the area, but we’re really doing a good thing by providing this facility here,” said Malone. “I think the people of Lackawanna will be able to be proud.”
The building costs $16 million and construction is expected to be completed in 13 months. Two of the three cottages currently in use will be torn down and replaced with green space, while a third is expected to be repurposed.