July 29, 2008

Making sure that Westchester County’s voice continues to be heard when it comes to redeveloping the FDR VA Hospital site in Montrose, County Executive Andy Spano provided testimony urging the VA to ensure that any future uses be entirely focused on veterans and their families.

The county’s veterans director Tom Meier read Spano’s testimony Tuesday at a U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs’ public hearing. The VA  gave a presentation on its proposal to replace existing healthcare facilities and services at the site and explain the enhanced use leasing process that would be used to develop the rest of the property. 

The VA expects to develop the 184-acre site in two phases, issuing the first Request for Proposals in the fall.

Spano’s testimony noted that the site was originally Westchester County parkland and was sold to the VA after WWII specifically for use as a veterans’ hospital complex. The county has consistently fought against the elimination of services on the campus and the process of revitalizing the site has gone on too long.

“While services are being reduced, the demand continues to increase. Our older veterans have needs that have gone un-met for decades. Our country is at war and more of our younger service members are returning home needing assistance.”

He warned that the campus is a beautiful and valuable piece of property that will be very enticing to many developers. However, the VA should not accept proposals that are not focused on veterans and their families.

“The veterans who have attended meetings throughout the CARES process over the past several years have repeatedly conveyed one consistent message – that any enhanced-use lease or land re-utilization projects should be all about veterans and not about cashing in from private development,” according to the statement.

Spano’s statement also argued the merits of a “Veterans Village” proposal by the Montrose Elders that was submitted and approved during the VA’s first RFP process several years ago. The plan, which includes a continuing care retirement community and affordable housing for veterans, has been refined with the help of the county’s Veterans Advisory Board, local veteran’s organizations and the town of Cortlandt and could be turned into action immediately.

Westchester County will actively participate in the RFP process while hoping the VA sees the wisdom in its proposal and the need to “move forward with a renewed sense of urgency,” according to the statement.