Agenda 09/24/2024 Item #10B (Update on the construction of a State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Collier County)9/24/2024
Item # 10.B.
ID#: 2024-1135
Executive Summary
Recommendation to receive an update on the selection by the State of Florida of the architect and engineering services
firm and general contractor for the construction of a State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Collier County and to outline the
next steps in the project.
OBJECTIVE: To receive an update on the selection by the State of Florida of the architect and engineering services
firm and general contractor for the construction of a State Veterans’ Nursing Home and to outline the next steps in the
project.
CONSIDERATIONS: On April 9, 2024, the State of Florida submitted two construction grant applications to the United
States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA); one for the 65% match for the State Veterans’ Nursing Home and the other
for authorization to include as part of new construction an adjoining Adult Day Health Care facility. The federal
government does not match construction funding for the latter.
The Secretary of the VA sets the State Home Construction Grant Priority List, in part, by definition of “need” and
whether the state applicant has their 35% construction match in hand and unencumbered. The State of Florida is defined
as a state of “great need,” the highest category of need, based on the need for over 2,000 veterans’ nursing home beds to
accommodate our senior veteran population. The Secretary’s ranking list is expected to be released before the beginning
of the next congressional budget cycle. Previously, Collier County placed into escrow $30 million in Infrastructure Sales
Surtax funds approved by voters. Another $10 million in surplus Infrastructure Sales Surtax funds for the Adult Day
Health Care and outpatient therapy services have previously been approved by the Board and currently remain in the
Surtax fund. The State Legislature has also appropriated $10 million for this project.
At our June 25 meeting, the Board directed the County Manager to begin the process of preparing the required real
property documents and appraisal to convey to the State of Florida the approximately 22 acres of Golden Gate Golf
Course property pledged for the construction of the long-term care campus.
Project management staff have been working with the Florida Department of Transportation to clarify right-of-way needs
for the Collier Boulevard widening project prior to updating the property legal description and sketch. Once completed,
these items will be used to update the Memorandum of Agreement with the State and subsequent property transfer to the
Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund of the State of Florida (BOTIITF) for the construction of the
State Veterans’ Nursing Home and Adult Day Health Care facilities.
On August 26, a State selection committee heard presentations from finalists for architectural and engineering services
and chose HHCP/Orcutt Winslow for the project. HHCP/Orcutt Winslow has designed over 15 new veterans' nursing
homes across the country and remodeled many more. They were also a subcontractor for Williamson Design Associates
(Clearwater, FL) in drafting the preliminary design of our facility that is included in the VA Construction Grant
Application.
On September 5, a State selection committee heard presentations from finalists for Construction Management Services
and selected Suffolk to be the Construction Manager at Risk for the project.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no immediate fiscal impact in taking this action.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: This Executive Summary has no immediate growth management impact.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This item has been reviewed by the County Attorney, is approved as to form and
legality, and requires a majority vote for approval. - JAK
RECOMMENDATIONS: To receive an update on the selection by the State of Florida of the architect and engineering
services firm and general contractor for the construction of a State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Collier County and to
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outline the next steps in the project.
PREPARED BY: Burt L. Saunders, Commissioner, District 3
ATTACHMENTS:
None
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