STATE BOARD TABLES REHABILITATION CENTER

Center: Firm Has Sued Bethany

BETHANY -- The State Board of Mental Health tabled consideration Friday of
an application from a company seeking certification to open a drug and
alcohol rehabilitation center.

The staff of the state Mental Health Department had recommended that the
application from Broadway Place LLC be denied based on statements from the
city of Bethany that three schools are located within 1,000 feet of the
proposed site of the proposed center, which would be called Windgate.

A state law prohibits drug and alcohol treatment centers within 1,000 feet
of any primary or secondary school.

Broadway Place spokesmen said they requested the item be tabled "pending
litigation."

The company has sued Bethany in Oklahoma County District

Court.

In an initial hearing on the case Tuesday, Judge Karl Gray told the city
they must issue the company a business license and allow them to open if
they receive certification from the state.

In January, the Bethany City Council voted unanimously to place a
moratorium on all business licenses for drug and alcohol rehabs. The
council also directed the city's Planning and Zoning Commission to consider
drafting new ordinances pertaining to rehabs.

These actions prompted Broadway Place's lawsuit. They said the council was
trying to unfairly bar them from operating by writing new laws after the
company had already signed a letter of intent to buy a former nursing home
at 6900 NW 39 Expressway. The company had also begun to do cleaning and
repairs on the property.

Company spokesmen say that they only took these actions after City Engineer
Clyde Treat said in December that the application would not be a problem.

Broadway Place lawyers argue against the claims from the city of Bethany
and Bethany Schools that there are three schools within 1,000 feet. The
Children's Center, next door to the proposed Windgate site, is actually a
residential care center, although patients are educated on site.