HomeMy WebLinkAboutGMH_Post_12/02/2010 High -end substance abuse center planned for Tequesta Page 1 of 1
The Palm- Beach PoSt Print this page Close
High -end substance abuse center planned for
Tequesta
By BILL DIPAOLO
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Updated: 3:18 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 2, 2010
Posted: 3:14 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 2, 2010
Weight rooms, volleyball courts, a swimming pool and 24 -hour security are planned for patients who
would pay about $38,000 a month to stay at a substance -abuse center proposed for a vacant building on
Old Dixie Highway.
"We expect many clients to come from out of state," said James Kennedy, the vice president and general
counsel for GMH Capital Partners. The Newtown Square, Pa. -based company recently paid $3.9 million
from Bank United for the salmon - colored building on 9 acres just south of the village's water treatment
plant.
Formed in 1985, GMH is an investment firm owned by Gary M. Holloway, a Pennsylvania resident who
has a home in Jupiter. GMH owns military housing, multi - family developments and student housing in
Pennsylvania and Tennessee. It owns strip shopping centers in Pensacola.
GMH has never operated or built a substance -abuse center, Kennedy said.
The proposed center would have 84 one- and two- person units. Patients, required to stay at least 30
days, would be restricted to the building during the initial part of their stay. Medicare or other federal or
state payments would not be accepted, Kennedy said.
"This is a very expensive private program for high -end clients," he said.
During a meeting Thursday, GMH officials said they want outpatient care for patients who return for
follow -up visits. Council members want those patients to be required to check in for at least two weeks.
"We want to avoid this place having a transient nature, like a hotel," said Councilman Calvin Turnquest.
The council is scheduled Jan. 13 to consider amending the village code to allow a substance -abuse
center on mixed use property. If approved on second reading Feb. 10, the council on March 10 would
consider allowing a special exception for the GMH building.
The soonest the three -story, 115,000- square foot building could open would be about a year, said Village
Manager Mike Couzzo.
bill_dipaolo @pbpost.com
Find this article at:
http: / /www. pa I nibeachpost. com/ news /hig h- end - substance- abuse - center -pla nned- for- tequesta- 1093520. html
Print this page Close
http: / /www.paimbeachpost.com/ news / high- end - substance- abuse - center - planned- for- teques... 12/2/2010