It will take at least a year to rebuild the badly damaged Command Sgt. Maj. Bennie G. Adkins State Veterans Home in Enterprise after an April fire, state officials said Friday.
The estimated timeline for restoration is 12 to 14 months, the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs said in a written statement.
The cost is estimated at $50 million to $60 million. The veterans home that opened about six months before the fire cost $98.8 million to build, the ADVA said Friday.
“We continue to work diligently to ensure that every resident of the Command Sgt. Maj. Bennie G. Adkins State Veterans Home is able to return safely and comfortably as soon as possible,” ADVA Commissioner Jeff Newton said in the written statement.
He met with the displaced residents earlier in the week to update them.
The veterans who lived at the home are being housed in a section of Enterprise Health and Rehab and HMR of Alabama, the third-party that manages the state’s veterans homes, continues to oversee their care.
“This is a complex process involving many moving parts, and we are grateful for the continued patience and understanding shown by our veterans and their families,” Newton said. “Our top priority remains the health and well-being of our veterans, and we are committed to restoring their home with the care and dignity they deserve.”
The 182,000 square-foot facility was built for 200 residents, but held about half that number at the time of the fire.
Earlier this month, a panel of lawmakers were told the fire destroyed the home’s kitchen, laundry facility and utility room.
A damage map released by ADVA shows much of the sprawling building was affected by either the fire or the water that was used to try to extinguish it over several days.
The fire was ruled accidental. Officials said contractors were working on vents on the roof over the kitchen when the fire started.
The department said restoration activities will comply with all applicable standards, including state laws governing state construction projects and federal VA construction criteria. Funding will be covered through the Alabama Division of Risk Management and insurance reimbursement.
“In Enterprise, our veterans are not just a priority; they are a pillar of our community,” Mayor William Cooper said. “We are deeply grateful to the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs and the staff at Enterprise Health and Rehabilitation for the compassionate care they continue to provide. Their efforts have created more than just a temporary residence; they’ve created a home. We eagerly await the day our heroes return to the Command Sergeant Major Bennie G. Adkins State Veterans Home, a facility built to reflect the honor, respect, and gratitude they have so rightfully earned.”