Costs rising on delayed veterans home

Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2000 | 10:06 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- The construction of Nevada's first veterans home in Boulder City will be completed in December, later and more costly than predicted.

"I'm concerned we will end up with a facility that is not up to the standards that were promised to veterans," state Veterans Commissioner Ray Alcorn said Tuesday.

He told the state Legislative Interim Finance Committee the original project was reduced from 112,000 square feet to 88,000 square feet. Instead of each individual room having a bathroom, four veterans will have to share one bathroom.

There won't be enough money for shelving in the storerooms. The landscaping will be partially completed and habitats for birds, fish and lizards will be eliminated.

The finance committee agreed to shift $300,000 away from the veterans cemetery in Boulder City to help cover some of the costs, which are expected to come in at $20.9 million.

Ward Patrick, interim general manager of the state Public Works Board, which is responsible for overseeing the construction, said "excessive change orders" have been responsible for some of the delays and higher costs.

"I'm concerned there will be more glitches," Sen. Lawrence Jacobsen, R-Minden, said. "We promised the veterans a home that was the best money can buy."

The project was supposed to be completed in May. The new target for completion was set for Oct. 24, after which contractors will start being penalized until the work is completed.

Patrick said his staff and consultants were responsible for some of the delays.

Even with the extra $300,000, Alcorn said, "There is a decent chance of cost overruns we don't see yet."