Developer Mark Marvin criticizes recovery center plan

Says he’ll reconsider projects in downtown Warren

WARREN -- Developer Mark Marvin threatened to reconsider future investments in downtown Warren if the city allows a recovery center to go into the Reeves Apartments building in the peninsula across from the future home of a winery Marvin is scheduled to open this summer.

"It has been brought to my attention that the Reeves Apartments, 295 W. Market St., may possibly become a recovery center," Marvin said during the Warren City Council meeting Wednesday. "That's an economic development killer. There already is a stigma that downtown is dangerous place to be. Adding a 65-bed recovery center is not going to help change that image."

Marvin emphasized his company has an economic development plan for the downtown area.

"If the recovery center goes there, it will be a negative and cause me to reconsider my investments," Marvin said.

Besides the winery, Marvin's company has been renovating the Robins Theatre and owns several buildings and apartments in the downtown area.

D'Andre Bowers, chairman of the Warren Neighborhood Initiative, which is the nonprofit organization sponsoring the proposed Reeves Wellness Center, said the group already has invested more than $300,000 into the project since February.

"This is a collaborative effort by the Warren Neighborhood Initiative; Chris Sikora, owner of the Reeves Apartments; and another party I cannot name at this time," Bowers said. "I want to work with Mr. Marvin to make sure his projects work and to make sure what we are trying to do also works."

Bowers said there is no reason these projects could not work side by side.

Warren Neighborhood Initiative wants to place a high-end, country-club style wellness and recovery center in the Reeves building.

"This building is in better shape than anyone who has not been in it over the last 10 years knows," Bowers said. "Our investment plans are in the seven figures.

"The plan is for the wellness center to be an inpatient recovery center," Bowers said. "We already have been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, also known as CARF."

Bowers said he has contacted all city council members about the proposed project. However, he said Mayor Doug Franklin and Community Development Director Michael Keys are the only city officials that have been told the entire project proposal.

Franklin said he is supportive of recovery efforts in the city, but he also is concerned about the location because of the city's comprehensive plan and the plans for the peninsula.

"This proposal is contrary to the investments that already have been made," Franklin said. "We wish Mr. Bowers and those supporting this project success."

Franklin said he is not aware of the level of investments made in the building. However, he added, there have not been any building permits taken out.

Keys said his department would work closely with Bowers and the Warren Neighborhood Initiative to find a new location for the proposed project.