County proceeds with phased Veterans Resource Hub; commissioners ask for funding clarity

Manatee County provided a project update Wednesday on the Veterans Resource Hub and Memorial Park planned on a 24‑acre site on Buckeye Road, saying the site will be developed in phases and that county staff and consultants are building a nonprofit governance structure and a fundraising plan to supplement the county’s initial allocation.

Carlos Degasotte, leading the consultant team working with county staff, told commissioners the board previously provided the site and initial funding: “This is the entire park. So the 24 acres and roughly $4,000,000 that was invested by you designated and allocated by the taxpayers of this county,” he said. Staff said roughly $3.5 million remains in county funds after design and early work.

Nut graf: The update focused on program definition, phasing and fundraising rather than a final design. Staff described phase‑one as an entry plaza and memorial area plus temporary/flex space to begin veteran‑serving programs, and recommended formation of a stand‑alone nonprofit to accept donations and govern ongoing programming.

What staff described: Project manager Lee Washington (government relations) and the design team said phase‑one work will scope what can be built with the county seed funding and will develop three utility‑connection scenarios (cheapest to most expensive) so the county knows how far the existing allocation will go. The team said they will analyze survey and listening‑session results (roughly 200 responses so far) and propose a short list of names and governance options in coming months. Kimley‑Horn is the design firm on the project; Seymour was named as the phase‑one construction partner.

Funding and governance questions: Commissioners and public speakers repeatedly asked for a clearer accounting of funds and faster delivery of direct veteran services. County staff and the county administrator said the board allocated the land and $4 million but that a $3.8 million federal appropriation is expected later in the year; the county’s team said those federal funds are optimistic and currently scheduled for approximately December reimbursement. Lee Washington said a nonprofit will be needed so the project can accept private donations and secure grants; he and staff also said they are pursuing designated fund‑holder arrangements with local foundations while the nonprofit is formed.

Public comment and debate: Veterans organizations and residents offered both support and caution. Ken Green of VFW Post 12055 said he worried the project could become an expensive “sugar pill” and urged the county to scale the project to prioritize direct veteran services. Former residents and veterans urged preservation of existing hammock/trees on the parcel and suggested using the site to connect to nearby Curiosity Creek Preserve. County veteran services director Renee Medina described a recently launched veteran transportation service as “fantastic” and said demand for direct services is strong.

Next steps: Staff said they will (a) complete scenario-based costing showing how far the county allocation will go under different utility/connection options, (b) analyze survey results and propose two or three name options for the board, (c) finalize a draft nonprofit governance model and designate an interim fund holder locally to accept donations, and (d) pursue federal, state and private grants and philanthropic sponsorships to complete later phases.

What the board asked for: Commissioners asked for a clearer accounting (balance sheet/P&L style summary) of the county allocation and current expenditures, confirmation of the timing and reliability of the expected federal appropriation, and options that prioritize near‑term veteran services while the larger campus is phased in.