Gov. Heineman Attends Groundbreaking for New Veterans' Home in Bellevue

Gov. Heineman Attends Groundbreaking for New Veterans' Home in Bellevue

Gov. Dave Heineman attended a groundbreaking ceremony for the state's newest veterans' home and described the project as a sign of Nebraska's strong commitment to honor and support the veterans who have risked their lives to preserve the liberties enjoyed by Nebraskans. U.S. Rep. Lee Terry joined the Governor at the ceremony.

"This new facility will be beautiful, but most importantly, it will provide the safety, dignity and level of care that our veterans deserve," Gov. Heineman said. "Today is an important opportunity to honor the men and women who have sacrificed so much for us."

Situated on 20 acres near 40th Street and Capehart Road in Bellevue, the new 120-bed veterans' home will be a modern replacement for the Thomas Fitzgerald Veterans' Home in Omaha which was opened in 1980 in the former Douglas County Hospital Annex.

The home will cost approximately $22 million to build with $7.7 million coming from state general funds, cover nearly 118,000 sq. feet and have four separate wings. The new home has been designed to care for those needing only minimal assistance, members with needs for intermediate and skilled nursing care, as well as specialized services for individuals with Alzheimer's disease. The new Thomas Fitzgerald Veterans' Home is expected to open in the spring or summer of 2007.

The Governor credited efforts by the public and private sector for helping the new veterans' home project reach the construction phase. The City of Bellevue donated the land to the state and the Sarpy County Board of Commissioners donated $300,000 to build an access road to the site. Members of Nebraska's congressional delegation and veterans' organizations also supported the construction of a new home. The Nebraska Health and Human Services System operates state veterans' homes in Grand Island, Norfolk, Omaha and Scottsbluff.

Nancy Montanez, director of the Department of Health and Human Services, said, "It's important to have this new opportunity in eastern Nebraska for our veterans. Members and their families will see not only a new facility, but also an improved quality of life."

John Hilgert, executive director of the Nebraska Department of Veterans Affairs, said, "This home demonstrates Nebraska's commitment to our veterans. This is one of the few capital construction projects in our state that was funded during tight budget times."

http://gov.nol.org/news/2005_06/10_bellevue_home.html