Landmark Structures Corp., a commercial general contractor and construction management company, has been selected as general contractor for a project for Volunteers of America Massachusetts.
Landmark Structures will work to build, restore, and retrofit the Massachusetts Bay Veterans Center (MBVC), a 15,000 s/f three-story brick building located at 1323 Broadway, into 22 transitional and 7 permanent housing units for homeless and at-risk veterans. The goal of the MBVC is to increase the availability of affordable alcohol- and drug-free housing for veterans in the Metro Boston region.
According to William Glasser, president CEO of Landmark, the structure will be completely gutted and part of the plan includes the installation of new, energy-efficient systems. The existing building was previously used as a nursing home, and youth facility. The $2.7 million project should be completed later this year.
The MBVC units will serve the populations of Norfolk, Plymouth, and Suffolk Counties, and is expected to provide significant, long lasting and positive outcomes in the lives of the veteran population. In Mass., estimates are that more than 1,400 homeless veterans are in need of housing on any given night.
Thomas Bierbaum, Volunteers of America Mass. president and CEO said, "I am incredibly proud to further expand our services to the veterans who have so bravely served our country. We are honored to stand by their side and support them. Our approach at the Massachusetts Bay Veterans Center will allow for a deep and lasting impact on the residents."
The design includes a kitchen in the basement to allow for community or individual meals to accommodate their newly established work or community life and the surrounding area. This is in addition to the sober transitional and permanent housing units, counseling rooms, offices, lounges and meeting areas.
"We are very pleased to be working with Volunteers of America Massachusetts," said Glasser, "This is a great project not only in the scope of work but in the goals that it will accomplish. We are glad to be able to put our expertise to work to create a welcoming environment for our military veterans."