New Treatment Facility in Astoria
Published 5:00 pm Tuesday, April 18, 2006
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The sale of the property is contingent on conditional use approval of his plans by the City of Astoria Planning Department at its April 25th meeting, If approved, McGuire plans to open the treatment facility around June 1. The facility will add approximately 25 new full time jobs to the area.
McGuire said the 30-bed facility will be private, and patients are not allowed to come and go. He also said the treatment center will not accept drop-ins, and will not treat patients insured by government-funded programs.
“Most of our patient referrals are from large corporations with employee assistance programs. These companies are trying very hard to help employees find a solution to their rehabilitation needs,” he said. McGuire noted companies such as Alaska Airlines and the Oregon State Bar as referral sources.
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The cost of rehabilitation at the center will vary, McGuire said.
“It depends on the length of stay, but can be as low as $6,500 for the first 35 days, to a high of around $15,500 for a 90 day treatment program.”
McGuire also noted these rates are substantially below those of other private treatment facilities.
“People can pay $35,000 for treatment at the Betty Ford clinic if they want, but we are not operating a country club. People do a lot of work to get through our treatment program,” he said.
McGuire is not a stranger to the drug and alcohol rehabilitation business. Earlier, in partnership with Dr. John O’Donovan, McGuire operated Serenity by the Sea in Seaside for twelve years, closing when his wife, the facility’s director, passed away from cancer several years ago. The center served 8,000 patients and their families over the twelve-year period.
Sue Pickell, who was the Seaside Chamber of Commerce Director when Serenity by the Sea operated there, said McGuire and his wife, Marsha, were good community citizens.
“It was an upper-class operation, and a lot of people in our community have benefited from the work of Michael and Marsha,” she said.
Pickell also noted the positive economic impact on the area due to the facility’s Seaside location.
“Michael and his wife started the North Coast Round-up, which brings thousands of people to town one weekend per year,” she said. The NC Round Up is an annual gathering of drug and alcohol patients in recovery.
Karen Murray, Assistant Manager at the Seaside Convention Center, said the round up is in its 24th year, and attracts nearly 2,500 people to Seaside for a three-day convention.
“It has always been a well-done convention, and it means big business for Seaside,” Murray said.
Murray also stated that when Serenity by the Sea was operating in Seaside, she did not hear of any negative incidences in connection with it.
“They are super people,” Murray said.
Assuming project approval, McGuire anticipates he will spend approximately $100,000 on interior cosmetic upgrades. Some landscaping and exterior improvements are also slated.
An open house will be held on April 23 from noon to 3 p.m. at the site on for the purpose of answering questions community members may have about the project. For more information contact McGuire at (503) 739-1503.