New Life for Vacant First United Methodist Church? St, Cloud Planning Commission Explores Drug Treatment Center on 5th Avenue South

(KNSI) — The St. Cloud Planning Commission is recommending a new drug treatment facility to move into a space that has been vacant for nearly a decade.

It is proposed to have 48 beds and features both inpatient and outpatient care. The plan is to use the existing First United Methodist Church building in the 300 block of 5th Avenue South, but Commission Chair Marty Czech tells KNSI News that approach doesn’t necessarily give the project a leg up with the commission.

“Is it beneficial for the city to preserve a historic building? Well, absolutely. I think that when we see something come along that’s going to utilize an existing building, especially something that’s got some heritage to it, then that would be an advantage. Is there a benefit to repurposing an existing derelict building? I don’t think so.”

Czech was personally impressed by the landscape proposal, including a labyrinth garden in the northwest corner of the lot. He says that helps the concept by showing it can be a good fit for the neighborhood.

The idea comes from the developers behind the St. Cloud Live project. It is the final piece of a roughly $120 million development. Brian Schoenborn told the planning commission when the whole thing started, he never envisioned he would be proposing a drug treatment facility. Schoenborn says the inspiration for the facility was the death of Mack Motzko, who was killed in a crash in July of 2021 by a driver who was under the influence. Schoenborn was Motzko’s godfather.

Czech was asked about how to evaluate a project that, at first glance, may look like a surprise.

“I don’t try to insert myself into how they run their business. They’re a better judge of whether a location can be successful for them or not. My bigger consideration is whether or not a business like that, or a zoning change like that, just fits the character of the particular neighborhood. If it’s a good location for it.”

Troy Hoekstra and Ascension are both involved in the project and say it is not a methadone clinic or an emergency detox program like that found in a hospital.

The city council will take it up at a public hearing next month.

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