Feds allow Collier veterans nursing home project to proceed

Construction of a 120-bed state veterans nursing home in Collier County can begin in July after federal officials confirmed arsenic contamination on the site can be remediated during construction rather than delaying the project.

The clarification removes a potential obstacle to securing $74.246 million in federal funding for the project on the former Golden Gate Golf Course.

After the Board of County Commissioners last month declared an emergency to expedite environmental work on the site, county officials received further guidance following meetings with federal and state veterans affairs officials.

The federal government had previously given the county 180 days — until late September — to address contamination concerns or risk losing federal funding for the project this year.

“The VA has now confirmed that all environmental assessments and related remediation plan approvals fall under the authority of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection,” John Mullins, the county’s director of communications, government and public affairs, told commissioners June 9. “DEP will determine what, if any, remediation is required prior to construction, based on state and federal standards.”

Commissioner Burt Saunders said residents had questioned whether the project was in jeopardy, but he maintained it remained on track. The Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs has scheduled a groundbreaking ceremony for 10 a.m. July 10, followed by a reception at the VFW Hall, 800 Neffs Way.

“We’ve always had two paths to do this since we declared that emergency,” Saunders said. “So the sky is not falling. Everything looks good. This board has taken all the action necessary.”

Mullins said DEP approved a soil-management plan that allows contaminated soil to be remediated during construction. Because the state will not have access to funding until after July 1, the start of its next fiscal year, the county used its emergency declaration to hire engineering firm Kimley-Horn to complete the environmental assessment.

County officials will review a draft report before it is sent to the state Department of Veterans’ Affairs and DEP for feedback. A final report will then be submitted to the federal Department of Veterans Affairs.

The remediation plan calls for impermeable surfaces to cap areas where soil exceeds exposure or leachable criteria, while areas exceeding arsenic exposure standards will be covered with 2 feet of clean fill.

Mullins said the federal VA serves as a reviewing agency rather than an approving authority and had deemed the soil-management plan incomplete because of other construction-grant checklist requirements.

Arsenic contamination is common on former golf courses because of historic use of arsenic-based herbicides and pesticides. Collier County purchased the 165-acre Golden Gate Golf Course property for $29.1 million in 2019 without conducting comprehensive environmental studies or adopting a specific development plan.

The purchase later drew criticism from Collier County Clerk Crystal Kinzel, but the property has since evolved into a broader redevelopment project. Plans include senior and workforce housing, a First Tee youth academy and The Gate Golf Club, a public golf course planned by Arthrex.

The federal funding represents 65% of the cost of the 115,380-square-foot veterans home. The state, as the federal grant applicant, is responsible for the remaining 35%, which the county has already provided and placed in escrow. The county also donated the land for the project.

The nursing home is one of several projects approved by voters in 2018 through a referendum establishing a 1-cent infrastructure sales surtax. The county set aside $40 million in surtax and surplus surtax funds, which will also support construction of a veterans adult day care center and outpatient therapy facility. Federal funds cannot be used for those facilities but can support the services they provide.

The veterans home will feature six 20-bed nursing-care households within two neighborhoods, including up to three households dedicated to memory care. The facility will offer private rooms, along with gardens, gazebos, walkways, libraries and other amenities. Additional central utility plant and warehouse buildings will add 3,715 square feet.

Florida operates nine state veterans homes, although eight are not at full capacity because of staffing shortages. Veterans officials estimate more than 31,000 Collier County veterans age 65 and older could benefit from the facility, along with younger veterans who may need its services.

The project is being designed by Grace Design Studios, formerly Orcutt Winslow, and will be built by Suffolk Construction.