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DETROIT (AP) — Fisher Mansion in Detroit's Palmer Woods neighborhood is being renovated to become a retreat for drug addicts.
Officials with Breathe Life Healing Centers told The Detroit News (http://bit.ly/1pCZNMF ) that the 28-room, Tudor Revival-style building will be a "spiritual retreat," and could open this winter. The 1926 mansion sold in August for $1.6 million.
Breathe Life spokesman Corey Martin said the center won't provide medical care onsite. Instead, residents will be treated for chemical dependency, nicotine addiction and compulsive overeating at a separate facility on Seven Mile.
The California-based company operates centers in Los Angeles and New York City. Officials said self-help guru Brad Lamm will run the retreat and live in the mansion.
"I'm happy to join the community here in Palmer Woods and open Breathe treatment services in Palmer Park," Lamm said in a statement. "We believe in the possibilities inherent in all individuals and see our new locations as a rich embodiment of that notion."
Palmer Woods Association board member Rochelle Lento said neighbors are "very concerned" about the center.
"Palmer Woods is a residential community ... It's not zoned for commercial use or a group home," she said. "There are clear zoning guidelines and a rehab center is not zoned for Palmer Woods."
Craig Vanderburg, president of the Palmer Woods Association, said he has similar questions in regards to zoning, adding all of the neighborhood's homes are single family residences.
It's unclear if the facility would need zoning changes or a special license.
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Information from: The Detroit News, http://detnews.com/
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