Courtesy of Connoisseur Media Lincoln.LINCOLN–(News Release Aug. 19)–Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird today said the planned conversion of the former Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital, 600 S. 70th St., into affordable senior housing prioritizes veterans and addresses a critical need for safe, acce ssible housing for older residents. “Together with our partners, the City is delivering on our commitment to ensure everyone in Lincoln enjoys the comfort and stability of a home. Through this latest Victory Park redevelopment project, we are addressing older adults’ need for affordable, accessible housing, while honoring the veterans who have served our country,” Mayor Gaylor Baird said. Joining Mayor Gaylor Baird at the news conference were Dan Marvin, Urban Development Director; Past President of the Seniors Foundation and Retired Major General Roger Lempke; and Jeremy Raridon, Burlington Capital Construction Services Owner’s Representative, Real Estate. The $18 million Victory Park Hospital Rehabilitation Project is funded by a combination of private investment, low-income housing tax credits and $850,000 in proposed Tax Increment Financing. Renovation work includes interior restoration, environmental abatement, energy enhancements, and other improvements necessary to bring the building forward into modern use. The project is being developed by Burlington Capital, with an estimated completion date in October 2027. Project features include: Development of 95 independent living units within the historic hospital building, with a preference for veterans. The facility will offer 20 studios, 58 one-bedroom, 16 two-bedroom and one three-bedroom units with an average rent of $1,000 per month per unit including utilities. The front façade of the building will remain unchanged to preserve its historic character. A public hearing and vote on the Victory Park Hospital Rehabilitation Project is scheduled for the August 24 City Council meeting. The Historic Preservation Commission approved the project in March. Conversion of the former hospital into housing, approved by the City Council in 2015, represents the next phase of redevelopment at the VA campus. Previous phases included construction of the VA Clinic, construction of a 70-unit multi-family housing building, and development of a portion of the old hospital building into the Aging Partners Victory Park Senior Center, which opened in May 2023. Marvin said the Victory Park Hospital Rehabilitation Project is a significant investment in both the community’s history and its future. “The Victory Park redevelopment represents a forward-looking commitment to historic preservation, affordable housing, and community reinvestment, while at the same time it is a commitment to those who have served this country – values that continue to shape Lincoln’s vision for thoughtful urban development,” Marvin said. Lempke said that after years of service to their country and community, seniors and veterans should have access to housing they can afford. “This development puts our Lincoln values on full display: respect for service, care for our neighbors, and a commitment to opportunity,” Lempke said. ...read more read less