Supervisors approve bid award for Garberville veterans hall after years of debate, 4-1

The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 on May 6 to approve awarding the construction contract for the John Haines Veterans Memorial Building project in Garberville, moving forward with a project county staff said was "shovel-ready" after years of planning and demolition work.

Public Works Director Tom Matson told the board the county holds the property for use as a veterans building and that the project team had reduced the previously presented cost estimate by about $1 million, roughly a 17% reduction. "We are ready to to build this facility and we are recommending that you approve this so we can move it forward," Matson said.

Supporters, including veterans and community organizations, told supervisors the hall had been the social and civic heart of Garberville and urged the board to approve construction. Speakers described the hall's past role hosting community dinners, civic meetings and emergency staging. "This was the center for civic participation in Garberville," said Douglas Curtis, a longtime resident who listed uses ranging from candidate forums to emergency response gatherings.

Oppone…