Residents come in force against rezoning for halfway house in Lorain

LORAIN — Residents of Lorain and Elyria Township came out in force against a halfway house for men returning from prison that is proposed for a former event center. Lorain City Council's Building and Lands Committee met to discuss a rezoning to allow True Freedom Ministries to transform the former DeLuca's Place in the Park, 6075 Middle Ridge Road. The majority of those who spoke were against the matter, citing safety concerns and a potential loss in property values. Local attorney Anthony Giardini and his business partner Joe Lucas, of North Ridgeville, purchased the property in January for $425,000. The event center closed in 2019 and fell into disrepair. At Monday's meeting, Giardini said he was approached by Michael Swiger, executive director of Prospera Reentry, about a potential lease to turn the vacant event center into a residential social service facility for nonviolent offenders returning to the area from prison. Prospera Reentry, formerly True Freedom Enterprises, is the largest adult prison ministry in Ohio, according to Swiger. It has partnered with Grafton Correctional Institution's reintegration center, as well as providing programming at the supermax facility in Youngstown. The proposed facility would be the only one of its kind in the county, according to information presented at a Planning Commission meeting earlier this month. It was the second time Swiger and Giardini came before the board about the proposal. In February, the pair, along with Ben Fligner of Smoked Meats LLC, sought a rezoning for a building behind the former St. Joseph Community Center for the same type of residential facility. Giardini said it had appeared the city was not keen on having the facility right downtown, especially near the former St. Joseph's site due to other potential projects. DeLuca's appears to be a better fit. On Monday, dozens of Lorain residents, alongside those from Elyria Township, packed Council Chambers and commented on the issue for more than three hours — the vast majority coming out against the proposed rezoning. Jean Lochman, of Elyria Township, said when a potential buyer for her home heard about the potential facility, the buyer backed out. Similarly, Margret Leglise, of Baetz Court in Elyria Township, questioned if Lorain would protect residents from those released inmates who "will go back to prison" based on the recidivism rate. Nationally, the recidivism rate is about 50 percent, according to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. In Ohio, that number is closer to about 30 percent, according to the state Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. "Not in Lorain's backyard, but you are blighting my neighborhood," Leglise said. Many of those who argued against the site said they have children or grandchildren. Jane Christyson, chief executive officer for the Girl Scouts of North East Ohio, said there have been some concerns raised, as the property is next to the Girl Scouts' South Broadway location. Others questioned who would be paying Swiger and his company, with Terrance McCormick alleging it to be a "money grab." "Who's going to be the oversight? Do you have the fox guarding the chicken house?" he asked. Committee Chairwoman Mary Springowski, D-at large, often had to shout over attendees to keep the meeting in order. Some personally attacked members of Council and the administration, as well as Giardini, in their comments. Other Council members decried how out of hand the meeting got. Many of those abutting the property who live in Elyria Township said they'd never received notification for the potential rezoning from a B-2 business to an R-3 to allow for the residential social service facility. Springowski said the earliest City Council could see the matter come up at a regular meeting is July 19, so there is time for notifications to be sent out. Assistant Council Clerk Breanna Dull said those not notified do not abut the parcel being rezoned, as there are two parcels included in the property. According to Ohio Revised Code, rezoning requires 20 days' notice prior to a public hearing on the issue, but failure to do so does not invalidate a proposed ordinance. Additionally, even if the rezoning is approved, a conditional use permit is required to open the facility. There was a minority of those in attendance who supported allowing the home to open. Jeff Barnes, whose 80-year-old mother lives near the site, said she is concerned about her safety and that of her grandchildren but that the crime problems mentioned by other speakers were things already happening in the area. "I'm for this — I'm for giving people second chances, third chances, whatever it takes," he said. "… I don't live in a bubble. I'm glad somebody's trying to do something." Later in the meeting, he returned to the microphone to defend Giardini. Barnes said he understands everyone else's concerns, and he said he was worried about his mother, but noted the men potentially coming to the site are getting out of prison anyway. "We can't hold everybody forever," he said. Similarly, Wendy Caldwell, owner of Place to Recover LLC, said she didn't know where a halfway house should be, but that one was needed — as those being released are returning regardless whether True Freedom opens its location or not. She said without a halfway house, some may end up on the streets or in shelters. Caldwell, a former corrections officer who has worked in reentry since 2002, said her concern is getting other groups involved, including her own. Swiger was unable to attend Monday's meeting, as he is in Utah at a family reunion, Giardini said. Swiger plans to be at a public hearing next month, he said. A public hearing is slated for 5:30 p.m. July 12 in Council Chambers. Contact Carissa Woytach at (440) 329-7245 or cwoytach@chroniclet.com.