SEBASTIAN — An informal group is helping the Sebastian Veterans Advisory Committee to track down potential sites for a veterans transition facility in or near the city. Four properties have been flagged as having promise throughout Sebastian.
Walt Payne, a staunch supporter of veterans, presented the sites to the committee at the group’s Monday meeting, saying that he and others wanted to take on the background work so the committee could focus its efforts elsewhere.
Payne said the city needs just two acres of land on which to build its veterans transition facility – a building in which veterans coming home from tours in the Middle East or those that are homeless can be temporarily housed until they find work and permanent housing.
Three of the four sites Payne presented are currently owned by Indian River County through foreclosures and all are close to major roads in Sebastian, including County Road 512 and US 1.
Two acres would be enough room on which to build the facility, have space for future expansion, and carve out an area for a vegetable garden.
“It gives them something to do in their spare time,” Payne said of the garden.
All of the properties are far larger than the two acres Payne is requesting – he told the Veterans Advisory Committee that he hoped they would be able to subdivide the parcel.
For the last several months, the committee has been exploring the possibility of establishing a transitional facility somewhere within the city limits to help homecoming and homeless veterans. The committee raised the issue of the lack of housing for veterans given the influx of returning military service men and women from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
Committee Chair Veterans of Foreign Wars Commander Jerry Piper asked if there were any chance the city could build the facility.
City Manager Al Minner cautioned it would take a considerable amount of work.
“I think it’s feasible,” he said, adding, “The funds, the rezoning, those are going to be your hurdles.”
Cmdr. Piper told his fellow committee members that an executive board has been formed to keep the ball rolling on the facility – a board separate from the city’s advisory committee. That board has been tasked with coming up with the plans for the facility, the rules and regulations.
“I think we’re making good progress,” Cmdr. Piper said.
He floated the idea of purchasing modular Mother-in-Law quarters – small modulars with a kitchenette, dining and living room, and bedroom, to house individual veterans. Doing so might cut the cost for construction.
“It could be a possibility,” he said.
Member Pete Puzzo, of the American Legion, asked about contacting FEMA for trailers.
“There would be tons of red-tape involved,” Cmdr. Piper said, explaining that FEMA was his first call for assistance.
One option that appears to be off the table is purchasing the former Victorian Lady property at Louisiana Avenue and Main Street. Minner said the city had been unable to contact the property owner to inquire about the site.
After the meeting, Cmdr. Piper said the next step is to go to the executive board to brief it on the properties.
Payne said after the meeting that those who are interested in helping or know of any potential properties should contact him by emailing payn792@comcast.net.
