Supporters of a veterans home in southwest Fresno, frustrated by years of delay, say they expect the project to soon take a big step toward reality with the naming of a construction contractor.
The state of California could make the announcement as soon as today, clearing a major hurdle in a decade-long effort to land a central San Joaquin Valley residence for elderly and disabled veterans.
"It's going to be a tremendous addition to the Valley," said Herbert Jansen, a board member with the Central California Veterans Home Support Foundation.
Jaime A. Arteaga, a spokesman with the state Department of Veterans Affairs, said he expects a groundbreaking ceremony to be held in the spring.
"We are definitely in very good shape to move forward," Arteaga said.
A stop sign marks the southeast corner of California and Marks avenues in southwest Fresno, as seen last year. Once overshadowed by the failed Running-Horse golf-residential project, the veterans home plan is now the cornerstone for hopes of revival in the area.
The $158 million home is planned for the southeast corner of Marks and California avenues. It will employ nearly 500 people.
Plans call for 300 beds, serving veterans with a variety of needs. For example, 120 beds will be for veterans who need minimal personal care and can administer their own medications. There will be 60 beds in a skilled nursing area to provide rehabilitation services for veterans with mental or physical conditions.
Construction is expected to conclude in April 2012, and residents should begin arriving several months later, Arteaga said.
Operated by the California Department of Veterans Affairs, the home is one of five proposed to accommodate the needs of an aging population of former service members. Locations for new homes include Redding and West Los Angeles; existing homes are in Yountville, Barstow, Chula Vista, Lancaster and Ventura.
The Fresno City Council on Thursday approved spending about $530,000 to extend the sewer and water lines to the site. Arteaga said the city also will fund the sidewalk, curb and gutter improvements along California.
Council Member Larry Westerlund said from the dais that funding for the Fresno home and one planned for Redding may have hit a last-minute snag.
Assembly Member Juan Arambula, I-Fresno, said a legislator had raised questions about whether the Fresno and Redding projects would use subcontracting companies owned by women, minorities and disabled veterans. Those questions have been answered, he said.
The Fresno veterans home "is back on track," Arambula said. "We're finally going to get one."
The state budget crisis had raised doubts about whether funding for the home was secure. But perhaps the home's biggest roadblock was its connection to the failed Running Horse golf-residential project, which was to be built on about 420 acres surrounding the home's site.
Running Horse developers had promised to build much of the infrastructure required by the home. When Running Horse collapsed, state and city officials had to rethink their plans.
Council President Cynthia Sterling, who represents southwest Fresno, said City Hall has stepped in to provide the infrastructure. Running Horse, she said, was once going to be the anchor for the rebirth of that historic but neglected part of Fresno. Now that role will be shouldered by a veterans home that is far more solid than the grand dream of Running Horse.
"For Fresno, [the veterans home] is a blessing," Sterling said. "With all the other problems we're facing, this allows us to say, 'We're still a strong and healthy community.' "
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