Modesto may join alliance to develop Stanislaus County veterans center

Stanislaus County, Modesto and a nonprofit foundation could forge an alliance to develop and operate a veterans service center.

Under an emerging plan, the county would contribute $313,000 annually and Modesto could kick in $80,000 a year for the facility, which would serve as a meeting place for veterans groups and a one-stop location for obtaining services.

The newly formed Veterans Foundation of Stanislaus County is pledging $125,000 a year through fundraising. The three partners would negotiate an agreement with the aim of creating the veterans facility.

About 27,000 veterans and their families live in Stanislaus County, creating the demand for a centralized facility to meet their needs. The county’s Veterans Advisory Commission has developed the concept for the one-stop service center and looked for possible locations.

Much of the local funding would offset costs of a long-term lease for a large building capable of housing a banquet hall, meeting, activity and conference rooms and social service offices, officials said.

The Modesto City Council could approve the general fund contribution on its consent agenda Tuesday. The city would contribute $800,000 over a 10-year period.

According to a staff report, potential sites for the facility include struggling shopping centers with a lot of empty space.

The veterans center could provide tangible benefits for Modesto by improving a blighted commercial area and bringing veterans to town from outlying communities, but the city also wants to support them for their military service, said Andy Johnson, interim manager of parks, recreation and neighborhoods.

“It is a great opportunity for us to partner and help veterans in our community,” said Johnson, who added that the project is gaining traction.

Patty Hill Thomas, the county’s chief operating officer, said the county veterans services office on Downey Avenue would move to the center. Some behavioral health and county social service offices could rent space as well.

About a third of the county’s contribution would come in the form of county office lease obligations. The $3.13 million in total county funding over 10 years also would include $1 million from the sale of the former Medical Arts Building in downtown Modesto. Staff could recommend using $100,000 a year from the general fund, Hill Thomas said.

The cost of the long-term lease won’t be known until property owners submit proposals to the county. Hill Thomas said she believes space for the veterans center can be leased at or below market rates.

The current plan does not consider a property purchase as an option.

“It would take a lot of years to pay cash for a building of that size,” Hill Thomas said.

Staff members plan to ask the Board of Supervisors within a month to approve the county contribution and call for proposals from property owners.

The report to the City Council says the center would connect veterans with an array of assistance, including social services, vocational skills, employment, mortgage, education, Veterans Affairs benefits and health care services.

This story was originally published August 8, 2015 at 3:42 PM with the headline "Modesto may join alliance to develop Stanislaus County veterans center."