HOLYOKE — The foundation of the new $483 million Massachusetts Veterans Home at Holyoke is nearly complete, and the cranes are already being assembled that will raise the steel skeleton in May.
That'll mean a ”topping off” ceremony as workers finish up the framing in November and, if all goes well, officials there told U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, that veterans should start moving into the new building in 2027.
“I think people will be very proud of this building, its facility and the grounds when they see it completed,” said Neal, D- Springfield.
Neal described how he worked with U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis R. McDonough, advocating for federal funding. The VA committed $263.5 million in federal funds to the project. The state is using a bond bill to fund the rest.
“To the people who run this facility, thanks,” Neal said. “We know how important this is.”
Neal toured the construction site and the existing 72-year-old building known for most of its life as the Holyoke Soldiers Home on Tuesday. He was joined by Dr. Jon Santiago, the state's first cabinet-level secretary of veterans services and Maj. Gen. Sean Collins, chair of the home's board of trustees.
“People have an interest in how these large construction projects are going,” Neal said. “We thought it was a good time for an update.”
In 2020, a COVID-19 outbreak killed more than 80 veterans at the existing facility, earning national…
