Today Land Commissioner George P. Bush announced the most recent milestone in the construction of the ninth Texas State Veterans Home, operated by the Veterans Land Board (VLB), a division of the Texas General Land Office (GLO). The commemorative last steel beam was put into place recently at the Veterans home located in Houston. You can view architectural renderings and construction updates at http://www.glo.texas.gov/vlb/houston-vethome/.
"One of the great privileges of serving as Texas Land Commissioner is serving our state's Veterans," Commissioner Bush said. "The topping off of a large project is a major milestone for those in the construction industry, but this one holds special significance for all who are working together to build this new Texas State Veterans Home. We are proud to be constructing the frame on a home for heroes."
"We have a deep sense of pride for what we're doing here," said Kitchell Contractors President Steve Whitworth. "This facility will fill a growing need to accommodate those who served our country, providing a place that they and their loved ones are happy to call home. We are fortunate to be part of it." Kitchell is the project's general contractor.
The newest Texas State Veterans Home is currently being built in south Houston, just north of Beltway 8, near Cullen Road. The $37 million facility broke ground last year. Designed by Orcutt|Winslow and being constructed by Kitchell, the new facility sits on nearly 18 acres and is based on a "small house" concept, with three small houses combined in a single neighborhood style building.
Each small house will accommodate 10 residents and include a kitchen, dining room and living room, with access to an outdoor garden and patio with shaded seating to preserve a home-like atmosphere and to provide resident-centered care. The home will be 129,500 gross square-feet, single-story community living center with 120 skilled nursing beds, including a 30-bed memory support unit. The community center will house administrative and support units, a multi-purpose room, bistro, library and chapel.
The new home will be named for a Texas Veteran who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. A ceremony revealing the name will be held in the fall.
For more information about the Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB) call 1-800-252-VETS (8387) or visit TexasVeterans.com. You can also follow the VLB on Facebook at Facebook.com/TXVLB, or Twitter Twitter.com/TexasVLB, or YouTube YouTube.com/TexasVLB, or Instagram Instagram.com/TexasVeterans, or the Texas Veterans Blog at TexasVeteransBlog.com/.
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