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Officials mark topping‑off of new Holyoke Veterans Home, cite $263 million in federal support
Summary
State and federal officials gathered in Holyoke to celebrate the topping‑off of a new Veterans Home, praising labor partners and reporting that the project has $263 million in federal VA funding, is about 28% complete and is projected to open in fall 2026.
HOLYOKE, Mass. — State and federal officials on Friday celebrated the structural topping‑off of the new Holyoke Veterans Home, saying the milestone marks recovery from past failures and commits new resources and oversight to veteran care.
Governor Maura Healey, joined by U.S. Rep. Richard Neal and Secretary of Veterans Services John Santiago, praised labor partners and contractors and highlighted the project’s federal funding. “He’s our champion in Washington who’s bringing back funding to our state regularly,” Healey said, noting that Congressman Neal helped secure $263,000,000 in federal VA funds for the project.
The ceremony’s organizers and speakers framed the work as both a physical and symbolic rebuilding. Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia introduced resident Roger Cody to lead the Pledge of Allegiance, and members of the labor force and contractors discussed the project’s scale and safety practices.
Project figures presented at the event show the job is roughly 28% complete, with about $112,000,000 of work placed and approximately 173,000 labor hours logged so far. Speakers said crews have installed nearly 150 geothermal wells and put in more than 4,000 tons of structural steel. Construction leadership said daily on‑site staffing will ramp from roughly 150 workers to an anticipated 450 as the project advances.
U.S. Rep. Richard Neal described the moment as a recovery from earlier problems at the site: “You witnessed the Phoenix rising from the ashes,” he said, thanking VA leadership for moving federal funds and helping accelerate the schedule.
Secretary John Santiago, who represents the state’s Veterans Services, credited rapid federal‑state coordination in clearing administrative hurdles and said the administration expects to be on site for the building’s opening window: “In fall of 2026, we’ll be there as well here in Holyoke,” Santiago said. He also thanked legislative partners, state design and construction teams, and veterans who advocated for the project.
Several speakers emphasized the role of a Project Labor Agreement in keeping the work on schedule and expanding employment opportunities. Prime Steel’s Jeremy Long, a fourth‑generation ironworker, praised labor and safety programs on the site and said, “We have delivered this building on time, under budget, and without incident.” Contractors also noted specific safety measures used on the project, including a corporate safety campaign and a cocoon netting system.
Speakers repeatedly acknowledged the site’s troubled past and new oversight actions taken by the state. Senator John Velis credited a 2020 $600,000,000 bond bill and a subsequent oversight bill enacted after the earlier tragedy for enabling the project; families’ advocacy and listening sessions were cited as a key driver of that legislative response.
Organizers said the topping‑off is a construction milestone rather than a finish line: leaders reiterated that more work remains to complete interiors, staffing and licensing. Officials pledged continued oversight and engagement with veterans and families as the project moves toward completion.
The ceremony concluded after the crane hoisted a final decorated beam into place and speakers offered final thanks to labor, contractors and veterans. No formal votes or policy actions were taken at the event.
