Ramshackle Mental Health Building on Williams Drive is coming down

All the Pieces of the Puzzle Fit…

Like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, when it seems nothing is happening, all of sudden, whoosh!! Everything happens.

Del Norte County owns property on Williams Drive. Plans call for the dilapidated mental health structure to be razed and the site to be utilized for homeless and transitional housing. Earlier this year, the Board of Supervisors approved the site located at 206 Williams Drive to be the home for the, as yet, unnamed housing facility.

At the Monday City Council Meeting, Crescent City Fire Chief Kevin Carey requested the City allow a controlled training burn for his staff and invited area first responder agencies to observe and acquire critical training.

Councilors agreed to move forward on the training exercise.

At its April 23 meeting, supervisors had previously allowed Crescent City Fire and Rescue to conduct the training exercise.

Only one problem remained…

The Sheriff Department’s Search and Rescue (SAR) presently occupies the soon-to-be demolished mental health structure.

Board Chairman Dean Wilson placed on the agenda, the expedient move of SAR to a 5000 sq.ft building on Washington Blvd at Oregon St., just east of the former body shop California Auto Image. Many remember this building was the site of body and paint work, many referred to as “the bubble.”

Sheriff Garrett Scott shared the news of the impending move with SAR volunteers. The building is privately-owned by Search and Rescue volunteer Mike Lovaas. Scott plans to store the two DNSD marine vessels and the newly-acquired Measpure R-funded ATV. Continued funding may come from Measure R or Asset forfeiture proceeds from the major drug bust on 101, last year. The boats, ATV and other emergency equipment will be secured inside and away from the oft-times harsh Del Norte weather.

The agreement calls for a long-term lease of $2000 per month, reports the Sheriff.

All the pieces of the puzzle fit…a very happy conclusion.