By Marty Trese, KnoxPages.com Editor
MOUNT VERNON – A year from today the now vacant Rian Hall at the Mount Vernon Developmental Center property will be operating as a treatment facility for those with substance abuse and mental health issues. At least that is the hope by those involved in Second Chance of Central Ohio, Inc., a non-profit.The three board members of Second Chance are Shawn Dennis, Attorney Jack Moser, and Samantha Scoles. Second Chance’s purpose is to establish and operate a facility providing services to mentally ill and drug & alcohol addicted patients. Also, Second Chance will provide services including, but not limited to, treatment and rehabilitation of non-violent mental health and chemically dependent patients.
Rian Hall has been empty since being decommissioned in 2013.
Dennis says a business plan has been developed. Providers of the services will sub-lease the space from Second Chance, who will lease the building from the State of Ohio. The next step in the process is acquiring $12,000 for a feasiblity study required by the state. The state will evaluate the documentation, research, and statistics acquired by Second Chance.
Rian Hall – KP photo
There will be four areas to the facility, each one will be operated by an established provider. They are:
- Emergency evaluation and detox for non-violent offenders
- Inpatient services
- Outpatient services
- Transition/Recovery housing
Second Chance will provide approximately 225 beds for these types of drug and alcohol treatment under one roof that currently is not available in Knox County. Patients from Knox County will have first priority. There currently are services available such as at The Freedom Center (outpatient) and at Knox Community Hospital (short term). Dennis says what Second Chance is planning will be on a much larger scale and longer term than what is currently offered. The income that is made from tenant leases will be used to operate the facility. He estimates as many as 230 jobs will be created.
Former Ohio First Lady Hope Taft has already lent her financial support to the Second Chance project. Mount Vernon Mayor and other city leaders toured Rian Hall earlier this month.
