Bristol, RI – Governor Lincoln D. Chafee, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Congressman David Cicilline and members of the Governor's Administration today at the Veterans Home heard an update on the design and construction of the state-of-the-art facility.
Since funding for the project was approved by voters in November 2012, the state has accomplished several key steps to set the stage for the successful completion of the new 208-bed Veterans Home. The following activities have been completed by the Department of Administration's Divisions of Purchases and Capital Projects and the Department of Human Services' Division of Veterans Affairs:
-Contracted for a feasibility study and demand analysis to understand the needs of Veterans;
-Submitted a waiver to and received approval from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to increase the number of nursing beds from 157 to a total of 192 nursing beds;
-Applied and received approval for federal reimbursement of construction costs;
-Contracted with an Owner's Program Manager to oversee the project;
-Selected an architectural design and engineering firm and completed design development stages;
-Solicited pre-qualified firms for construction manager-at risk services.
"I am pleased with the state's effort on this project, which will serve our Veterans with a new residential facility and upgrades to the existing building," Governor Chafee said. "I commend the several state agencies that are coordinating to make this venture a reality. I thank the voters and those who advocated on behalf of our Veterans for their support of this important project."
"By improving an important part of our Veterans healthcare system in Rhode Island, this project will help us keep the sacred promises we have made to our Veterans," said U.S. Senator Whitehouse. "I am grateful to Governor Chafee and everyone who has worked hard to advance this project for their steadfast commitment to Rhode Island Veterans."
"Ensuring that we honor our promise to care for our nation's Veterans is one of the most important responsibilities we have, and I'm proud to see the tremendous progress being made at the Rhode Island Veterans Home," said Congressman Cicilline, who advocated for Federal funding for the construction. "I want to express my gratitude to Governor Chafee for his leadership, to the members of the General Assembly, and all Rhode Islanders who supported funding this important project, and I look forward to celebrating completion of the new Veterans Home soon."
Director of Administration Steven Hartford said, "I am impressed with the hard work of our state agencies to complete this project. We have reached many important project milestones that have laid the ground work to get shovels in the ground in 2015."
"Rhode Island is demonstrating its commitment to providing high-quality, skilled nursing facilities to meet the special healthcare needs of our Veterans," said Steven Costantino, Secretary of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. "The design for the new facility allows for more efficient work practices for our medical professions while offering a full range of medical and support services for our Veterans."
Department of Human Services Director Sandra Powell echoed these statements: "I am proud of the hard work of the dedicated staff of the Division of Veterans Affairs and our partners in state government. Throughout this planning and design phase, we have made it a priority to build a Veterans home to the federal Community Living Center design standards. In doing so, we are not only ensuring a state-of-the-art, skilled nursing facility for our honored Veterans, we are qualifying for up to $55 million in reimbursed construction costs from the federal government on behalf of Rhode Island's taxpayers."
The facility will be built to new federal Community Living Center design guidelines, which will maximize independent living while providing opportunities for socialization for residents. By following these guidelines, the project will be eligible for up to 65 percent for federal reimbursement. This will reduce the borrowing cost to the state associated with the $94 million bond referendum that was approved by seventy-seven percent of Rhode Island voters in 2012.
The state sought pre-qualified construction management-at risk firms with the financial capacity and experience to complete such a complex project in a timely, efficient manner. It is expected that this contract will be awarded by the end of this year and the construction contract will be awarded in 2015. Construction will tentatively begin in 2015 and be completed by 2018.
For more information contact, Michael P. Jolin, Public Information Officer & Legislative Liaison, R.I. Department of Human Services, (401) 462-2246 or michael.jolin@dhs.ri.gov.