The corner of S. Fruit St. and Clinton St in Concord’s south end is not an appropriate location for a secured psychiatric unit. Gov. Sununu and DHHS are trying to shoehorn a 60-unit facility for dangerous individuals into our neighborhood. This facility is currently located at the NH State Prison. Evidently, the two populations don’t mix well together. Why Gov. Sununu thinks that the Hugh Gallen Office Park makes sense is beyond me.
This site is in a residential neighborhood. It’s between Rundlett Jr High, CHS, Abbott-Downing School and Trinity Baptist School. It’s also 200 feet from Woodside Daycare and across the street from Memorial Field. The majority of the pedestrians on the sidewalk are children. If you happen to live on Clinton St, this facility is just over 110 ft from your living room.
The state will tell you that this is a psychiatric hospital, but hospitals aren’t built like prisons. This building will have a high fence with razor wire on top for security. The project is a design build which means it will go to the lowest bidder. This is not about the lack of beds for those in mental health crisis. The individuals in this unit have been incarcerated for committing terrible crimes against their family and community. I realize a facility like this is needed. However, a residential neighborhood is not the location. Gov. Sununu, find another parcel of state-owned land.
Scott Walker
Concord