(The Center Square ) – The City of Spokane on Thursday stepped back on its plan to relocate the Compassionate Addiction Treatment facility following significant backlash, opting instead to devote the funding toward its new shelter model, though another use of the remaining funds could raise ethical concerns.
Spokane announced its plan to move CAT out of the Division Corridor last month . All it would take is $1.8 million to purchase a property off of Springfield Avenue. Still, while an agenda from this week noted that the city had met with some of the neighborhood council and was committed to an ongoing relationship, residents scheduled an emergency meeting to voice their opposition.
Mayor Lisa Brown stated on Thursday, the day before the emergency meeting, that the city is no longer interested in purchasing the property for CAT. The decision follows an attempt from Councilmember Michael Cathcart to require Good Neighbor Agreements between service providers, the city and the neighborhoods where the facilities would go, which the city council ultimately shelved .