Neighborhood on Edge: Concerns as Behavioral Health Center Eyes Friendsville

 Background & Proposal

• Village Behavioral Health, a division of Acadia Healthcare, had been in talks since late 2023 to relocate its facility from Louisville, TN, to Friendsville, Tennessee, specifically near Kiser Station Road off Highway 321Facebook+9https://www.wvlt.tv+9https://www.wvlt.tv+9.

• The proposed center was planned to serve girls and young women facing mental health challenges like depression, anxiety, and PTSD, offering specialized treatment for youth in crisishttps://www.wvlt.tv.

• Acadia’s leadership emphasized the urgency of expanding such care amid a national youth mental health crisis, noting the need for a modern, updated facilityhttps://www.wvlt.tv.

2. Local Pushback: Key Concerns from Residents

• At a public meeting in June 2025, more than 100 Friendsville residents voiced opposition NewsBreak+12WBIR+12YouTube+12.

• Main objections included:

  • Infrastructure deficiencies: town officials cited inadequate domestic water supply and fire protection resources to support the facilityhttps://www.wvlt.tv safely.

  • Emergency services strain: concerns that police, fire, and ambulance response would be stretched, and that the facility would offer no tax revenue benefit to the cityhttps://www.wvlt.tv.

  • Safety and property values: residents worried about potential risks affecting neighborhood security and local real estate appreciationWBIR.

3. City's Response & Outcome

• The Friendsville Board of Commissioners addressed the proposal transparently, holding public forums and reviewing zoning plans. A revised zoning ordinance along Highway 321 was adopted in March 2024 to guide future developmentshttps://www.wvlt.tv.

• On July 8, 2025, officials confirmed that Village Behavioral Health formally withdrew its relocation plan. The organization cited limited infrastructure—especially insufficient water and fire suppression systems—as the main barrierhttps://www.wvlt.tv+4https://www.wvlt.tv+4NewsBreak+4.

• The withdrawal came after two years of negotiations and community opposition. The provider now intends to seek a more suitable location elsewhere in the regionhttps://www.wvlt.tv.

4. Broader Significance

• This case highlights the tension between expanding behavioral health access and maintaining neighborhood infrastructure standards.

• Rural and smaller communities often lack resources—like reliable water supply, comprehensive emergency response coverage, and appropriate zoning—to support specialized medical facilities.

• The situation underscores the need for well-planned site assessments and early-stage community dialogue when healthcare providers seek local expansion.

5. What Comes Next

Aspect	Why It Matters
Infrastructure	Local services must assess water, fire, and safety readiness
Zoning & Planning	Clear guidelines help both cities and providers avoid friction
Community Input	Resident feedback can expose overlooked challenges
Access to Care	Need continues for youth behavioral health services

• For Friendsville, Mayor Steven Cardwell pledged continued transparency and responsiveness to residents’ concerns, making community safety and quality of life the council’s highest prioritieshttps://www.wvlt.tvhttps://www.wvlt.tv+1https://www.wvlt.tv+1.

• The case serves as a reminder that expansion of behavioral health services—especially for high-need populations—must balance community impact, logistical readiness, and stakeholder trust.

Takeaways

1. Effective dialogue matters: Public meetings and open communication helped shape outcomes.

2. Infrastructure isn't optional: Facilities need robust support; zoning alone isn’t enough.

3. Shared goals, different views: A common mission—mental health access—needs joint planning and trust between providers and communities.

Village Behavioral Health’s withdrawal may be a setback in one town, but the broader conversation it sparked can guide better planning in many others.