Many questions have been asked since The Refuge Center for Counseling began negotiations to buy property along Long Lane across from Ladd Park. Please take time to read our letter to Ladd Park residents. We hope the below answers will help those with questions remaining.
- What is The Refuge Center for Counseling?
Over the last 13 years, The Refuge Center for Counseling has offered affordable, professional counseling services in order to empower, educate, and support individuals, couples, and families in need.
- Is The Refuge Center an overnight facility/halfway house/drug rehabilitation center?
No…The Refuge Center is not and will never be an overnight facility or rehabilitation center. The Refuge Center for Counseling is a non-profit organization that provides professional counseling to clients at an hourly rate during the day based on a sliding scale fee structure.
- Will The Refuge Center cause a large increase in traffic along Long Lane?
The Refuge Center anticipates providing 450 sessions per week (Monday-Saturday) or 75 counseling sessions per day total at the new space between the hours of 7:00 am and 8:00 pm. Far less traffic than a gas station, convenience store or large office building.
- How would The Refuge Center affect my child’s school bus route on Long Lane?
A significant portion of our clients are children and their families, so we understand the absolute priority of protecting our community’s children. It is our understanding there is one school bus stop along Long Lane in the morning and afternoon. Due to the minimal traffic increase from The Refuge Center and the timing of school bus routes, we do not anticipate any negative impact on school bus routes, stops or schedules.
- Will I be able to see The Refuge Center from my house?
The design intent is for existing and new landscaping to screen views from the surrounding area as well as from Long Lane. The Refuge Center desires to keep a significant amount of less developed land on the property for walking trails, a healing garden, and other spaces for relaxation, processing, and outdoor activities.
- Will easements be required from other property owners to allow The Refuge Center access to the property?
- Will the entry to The Refuge Center be directly across from the Ladd Park entry?
- Why should Ladd Park want The Refuge Center as a neighbor?
No easements will be required for access to the property. A limited number of easements will potentially be needed in order to provide city sewer to the property.
While designs are in the conceptual stages of development, The Refuge Center entry is anticipated to be approximately ¼ mile to the east of the Ladd Park entry.
A recent study prepared for United Way of Williamson County found that mental health care is the third greatest need in Williamson County behind transportation and affordable housing. A woman fleeing domestic violence, the sexual assault survivor struggling with PTSD, a suicidal teenager dealing with depression, a widower working through grief—these are the people we see every day at The Refuge Center. The Refuge Center wants to help Ladd Park, Franklin and Williamson County be a better place to live.