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On January 9, 2025, the East Phillips Improvement Coalition (EPIC) hosted a community meeting about a proposed room and board facility at 2720 and 2724 16th Ave S. The facility would provide supportive housing for people in recovery who are receiving outpatient treatment elsewhere.
The organization behind the proposal, Pathway 2 Recovery, describes itself as “dedicated to transforming lives through comprehensive and compassionate care for individuals battling substance abuse disorders.” Founded in late 2024, Pathway to Recovery offers services such as supervised safe-use shelters, social work and case management, legal assistance with expungement, and STI awareness and testing. The founder, Sadik Ali, works as a hospital internal medicine consultant and medical director at Mayo Clinic’s progressive care unit.
Pathway to Recovery has requested an increase in the capacity of the two homes: from 6 to 10 people at 2724 16th Ave S, and from 6 to 14 people at 2720 16th Ave S. The planning commission approved this request, and now it’s up to Pathway 2 Recovery to be a good neighbor.
In response to concerns raised by local residents, EPIC and MPNAI organized a meeting and invited Sadik Ali and Jason Lennox (who submitted the land use application) to present on their organization and plans for the properties. Unfortunately, neither of them attended the meeting.
Despite this, ten community members showed up to voice their concerns, ask questions, and discuss next steps. Some of the main concerns raised were about the safety and well-being of vulnerable residents living near the opioid epidemic, potential risks of drug dealers targeting the area, and whether Pathway 2 Recovery is committed to being a responsible and engaged neighbor. Other concerns included wanting to know about the organization's track record in organizing sober housing, the rules in place to ensure safety and sobriety, and questions about whether Pathway 2 Recovery is more focused on profit than recovery.
Community members have a list of questions they want Pathway 2 Recovery to answer, including:
Are there tenants currently living at the houses? If so, how many?
What house rules are in place to promote sobriety and safety?
Is there a house manager?
Do you have culturally relevant practices in place?
Do you operate other locations?
Can you provide statistics and records from other houses you’ve managed?
Is there an outpatient clinic involved in this project?
Would increasing the number of residents increase risks or strengthen the community?
EPIC is asking Pathway 2 Recovery to meet with the community to address these concerns and work together on a more thoughtful, collaborative plan moving forward.