PHILADELPHIA, PA – Councilmember Jeffery Young, Jr. (5th District) issued the following statement today on the proposed triage center in Fairmount mentioned in the Philadelphia Inquirer article titled, “Parker Administration Plans Specialized Site for Addiction in Fairmount,” published on May 1, 2024:
“Throughout the budget process I have been concerned about the lack of transparency from the Parker Administration on the proposed plan for triage centers to combat the addiction crisis in Kensington. The Inquirer article discussing a proposed location at 2100 W. Girard—a facility owned by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania—is deeply troubling because there has been no engagement with my office, the Fairmount community, and surrounding neighborhoods.
This proposed location is currently zoned RM-1 which does not allow any hospitals or medical facilities without approval of the Zoning Board of Adjustment. I do not support a triage center at this location without undergoing a thorough review and discussion with the community to address potential implications. This facility is in close proximity to four schools, including my alma mater, Girard College, that is directly across the street. It is unacceptable to undertake such a significant project without consulting the communities and stakeholders who will be most affected.
While I appreciate the Parker Administration’s efforts to combat the opioid crisis in Kensington, we must focus on solutions that meet people where they are to provide the immediate critical medical care they desperately need.”
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Jeffery Young, Jr., represents the city’s 5th Council District, which encompasses many North Philadelphia neighborhoods east of Broad Street, such as Hunting Park, Fairhill, Yorktown, Ludlow, Poplar, parts of South Kensington, Northern Liberties, and Fishtown. The district also expands to Lower North Philadelphia, west of Broad Street which includes Stanton, Cecil B. Moore, Strawberry Mansion, Brewerytown, Sharswood, Francisville, Fairmount, and the Center City neighborhoods of Spring Garden, Logan Square, and parts of Rittenhouse Square. For more information, visit Councilmember Jeffery Young, Jr. | District 5 – Philadelphia City Council ; and follow him on Facebook and Instagram @councilmemberjyoungjr; and X @cmjyoungjr.
Philadelphia City Council is the legislative arm of Philadelphia municipal government. For more information, visit phlcouncil.com, and follow-us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube @PHLCouncil.
For more information or to schedule an interview with Councilmember Young, please contact:
Onyx Finney, Director of Communications
[email protected]
Office: 215-686-3442 | Mobile: 267.240-9906
