Roofs have already been replaced, a building permit has just been issued, and in early 2009, crews will begin to renovate the old Cedar Hills Alcohol Treatment Center for its future use as a transitional housing program for single parents.

Known as Passage Point, the facility will be transformed into a small apartment complex and will be operated by YWCA.

Remodeling should begin this winter, said Linda Rasmussen of the YWCA.

“The building permit was issued by King County on Oct. 8, so at this point we’re getting ready to put bids out,” she said. “Assuming that all goes according to the timeframe, that would put us in a position to open to residents in 2010.”

Passage Point will offer housing for single parents — most likely moms — coming out of incarceration, homeless shelters or rehabilitation. The goal is to get the parents back on their feet so they can be reunited with their kids.

In the meantime, YWCA continues to reach out to neighbors of the facility, some of whom have been outspoken in their concerns about the old alcohol treatment center being occupied again after it was closed by King County in 2002.

Residents of the Four Creek area near the property remember what it was like when the old facility was operational — it closed after its budget was cut — and those memories aren’t fond for those living in the rural community on the other side of the fence. Homeowners nearby have plots of five acres or more and have grown accustomed to the peace and quiet in the past six years.

A community forum at Maple Hills Elementary School near Renton was held to share updated news on project plans and invite the public’s views on how the community can work together on the project.

Regular meetings have been held with the community during the past year.

In addition, in January the YWCA worked with nearby homeowners to form a community advisory group, with the idea that it would keep neighbors connected with the Y as the non-profit works toward opening the first phase of the project in 2010.

“I feel that some people who initially were expressing themselves as strongly concerned or very concerned have said to me that now that they have more information, they aren’t as concerned,” Rasmussen said. “That says to me that the questions or concerns were clarified and that the answers they were given weren’t upsetting.”

Residents of Passage Point will be low-income and must be homeless, with some coming from area jails after serving sentences. Others will come from homeless or domestic violence shelters.

Once residents are accepted to Passage Point, they must also commit to working toward reuniting with their children.

YWCA will convert four dorm buildings where alcohol treatment patients used to sleep on bunk beds into 40 one-bedroom and six two-bedroom apartment units.

King County approved an easement agreement a year ago that allows YWCA to use the site for Passage Point.