DMVA says Fairbanks veterans cemetery project on track for VA grant application

Deputy Commissioner Craig Christensen told the Joint Armed Services Committee on May 15 that the state veteran cemetery planned near Fairbanks is progressing through design and studies and is positioned to apply for a Veterans Administration grant this year.

"We are in the process of just putting the application, the final steps of the application together, presenting it to the VA," Christensen said, describing design and environmental work the department had completed. He said the land for the cemetery was purchased last year and that the department expects to meet VA requirements for grant funding if the remaining design and studies are completed.

Representative Dave Divert, who represents Fairbanks, asked whether legislators could assist in facilitating final steps. Christensen said the project was on a "nice glide path" and credited the director of veteran services, Bertie Bowen, for coordinating with the federal VA in Washington, D.C.

If the grant is awarded on schedule, Christensen said the state could break ground in the spring following the award. The committee did not take formal action; Christensen characterized the status as preparatory and said the department would continue work on the application and related studies.

The presentation did not include a firm dollar amount for the project or a specific VA grant number; Christensen said required environmental and archaeological studies were "pretty much" finished and that the VA requires final design and studies to be complete before awarding construction grant funds.