State passes on Interfaith grant for recovery center

A proposal for a 150-bed facility in San Marcos was contingent on millions from Proposition 1; residents slammed the project for its proximity to schools

SAN MARCOS — A controversial recovery and wellness center was not awarded the necessary grant funds to move forward, according to sources.

Interfaith Community Services proposed a 150-bed facility on Mission Avenue on the property of the San Marcos Methodist Church, adjacent to three schools — San Marcos Middle School, the Montessori School of San Marcos and Palomar College. The facility was subject to massive public backlash over the past month as residents said the project’s location was not appropriate considering the proximity to kids 13 years old and younger.

Interfaith Chief Executive Officer Greg Angela estimated the project would cost between $40 million to $60 million. He said the organization applied for a grant from the State of California Bond Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program, which would cover 90% of the cost, while Interfaith would cover the remaining 10% with funds from donors.

“This week we learned the proposal submitted by San Marcos United Methodist Church, Interfaith Community Services, and Wakeland Housing and Development Corporation to fund the San Marcos Recovery & Wellness Campus was not selected in this round of grants from California’s Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program,” Interfaith Chief Executive Officer Greg Angela said. “While we are disappointed — especially given the urgent and growing need for detox treatment beds in North County — we remain committed to expanding access to care in the region we’ve proudly served for more than 40 years. We look forward to continued conversations and collaboration as we work together to improve health and wellness across North County and beyond.”

Residents, meanwhile, have pushed back for weeks, saying the location is not appropriate considering the proximity to schools. Many suggested the project be relocated elsewhere, with one popular suggestion being near the healthcare cluster at California State University San Marcos.