Construction plans for Nevada vets home forwarded to Washington

Tuesday, July 28, 1998 | 8:27 a.m.

Charles Abbott, chief of the Nevada Commission for Veterans Affairs, said Monday the federal agency should return the plans within the next 30 days with comments and recommendations.

"If our plans are approved by the VA, we will be on our way to breaking ground this coming December," Abbott said.

Principal architect for the facility is Harry Campbell and Associates of Las Vegas. HCA and the commission have been working with the design firm of Anshen and Allen on the home design since funding was approved by lawmakers.

Plans are for a 180-bed, single-story facility in Boulder City. "We want to make the building look like a home and not an institution," Abbott said.

Nevada is in line for $12.6 million in federal matching funds for the home, but only if most of the planning for the project is completed in the next few months. An extension is possible if the work is not done by a Sept. 30 deadline.

The Legislature last year obligated $6.8 million in state money for the project.

After reviewing six possible sites for the 180-bed facility and listening to the opinions of veterans, lawmakers decided on 40 acres of land offered by Boulder City just north of U.S. Highway 93.

The biggest concern expressed by veterans was access to the property by people visiting residents of the home. Citizens Area Transit provides bus service from Las Vegas to Boulder City, but some questioned the practicality of the public transportation system for elderly or infirm visitors.

But other veterans representatives told the subcommittee the access problems could be overcome and the Boulder City property was their choice.

Boulder City officials also promised to accommodate the home and provide support to the nursing home residents.