News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
A new Upper Cumberland Family Justice Center office could be opening at Livingston’s former Twin Lakes building.
The Board of Alderman Monday approved a no cost lease to the organization. Director Amy Stockwell said opening an Overton satellite office has been the plan for the past year.
“Especially with their location close to Pickett and Clay, which is some of our more isolated counties, so we thought if we could cut that distance in half for those counties to receive help at the Family Justice Center,” Stockwell said. “And then make it easier for our Overton County folks.”
Stockwell said while the lease is a step forward, this building is not a guaranteed location. Stockwell said the building needs lots of work including a new HVAC system, which the organization will have to fund.
“This is definitely still very preliminary,” Stockwell said. “Our major goal for the next quarter is to locate a building site that is appropriate for the Family Justice Center. Mayor (Curtis) Hayes has been crazy supportive of this project since it started.”
The organization has two locations that serves victims of domestic violence and sexual assault of the 13th Judicial District. Stockwell said the current Livingston location at the Overton Justice Center is too small.
“We are going to try and branch out and go a little bit larger,” Stockwell said. “That is what we are looking for. A building that can accommodate not only the Family Justice Center but our partnering agencies, as well.”
Stockwell said other affordable Overton locations are also being explored. The family Justice Center Board is set to review the Twin Lakes location sometime in January. Livingston can not make a profit on this building under the 20 year contract with Twin Lakes.
