Vermont Veterans Home pauses A‑wing rebuild after cost increases; heat‑pump and laundry work face tight budgets

Greg Kurzan, director of environmental services at the Vermont Veterans Home, told the Senate Committee on Institutions that construction plans for a complete demolition and rebuild of the facility’s A wing were stopped and re-scoped after inflation and higher-than-expected estimates pushed costs far above the original plan.

Kurzan said earlier planning and site work — including borings and design work — were completed but that the price tag rose by "millions, millions of dollars," and the project had to be paused for re-submission and new funding. When asked whether the $1,500,000 appropriated in the last biennium for the A wing remains designated for design work, Kurzan said, "So far, yes. The work, work up to date." Committee members asked whether any of that $1.5 million would be available for construction; Kurzan said…