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Michigan Veteran Homes to Host Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at New Home in Chesterfield Township

Michigan Veteran Homes to Host Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at New Home in Chesterfield Township 

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Department of Military and Veteran Affairs (DMVA), Michigan Veteran Homes (MVH) and the Michigan Veterans Facility Authority (MVFA) Board of Directors will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony for the newly-constructed Michigan Veteran Homes at Chesterfield Township at 10:00 a.m. on April 2, 2021, at 47901 Sugarbush Rd., Chesterfield Township, Michigan, 48047.
 
The ribbon cutting ceremony will include remarks by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paul Rogers, adjutant general and director of DMVA, Anne Zerbe, executive director of MVH, Dave Henry, chairman of the board for the MVFA and Bryon "Kip" Brand, a retired Air Force veteran and future resident at the home. Festivities will include a posting of the colors led by American Legion Post 4 Patriot Team Honor Guard out of Mount Clemens, Michigan. 

"Michigan's investment into the new Chesterfield Veteran's home demonstrates our continued efforts to make high quality, long-term care more accessible to those who served our country," said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. "This new facility honors our commitment to our veterans and their families and is one example of our work to give them the support they need and show our appreciation for their sacrifices on behalf of our state and nation." 

"We are excited to have reached this critical milestone of opening a new veteran home here in Michigan," said Anne Zerbe, executive director of MVH. "This new home will enhance our ability to meet the long-term care needs of Michigan's veterans and represents the first home of its kind in southeast Michigan." 

"The new veteran home in Chesterfield Township will provide outstanding state-of-the-art care to our veterans and their dependents. It embraces our department's mission of recognizing that all military members and veterans are 'members for life 'and we are committed to them as long as they need us," said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paul Rogers, adjutant general and director of the DMVA. 

At a total project cost of $76.5 million, with $46.1 million provided through a federal grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs Construction Grant Program, construction of the Chesterfield Home for Veterans began in April 2019 and occupies 30 acres and totals 152,000 square feet. The state-of-the-art facility consists of four unique neighborhood buildings and a community center. The neighborhood buildings collectively house 128 private resident rooms with ensuite baths and feature shared living and dining spaces. The adjacent community center is the centerpiece of the Home and features therapeutic facilities for behavioral, occupational, physical and group therapy, an exam room, pharmacy, multi-faith prayer room, barbershop and salon, café bistro and gift shop. Residents will also have access to an adjacent outdoor courtyard to observe the natural surroundings the campus has to offer. 

The Christman Company was selected as the construction manager for the project and site construction began in April 2019. The project directly supported veterans and veteran-owned business through contracts and employment. Over the course of construction, 24 veterans were employed on the project. 

"The Christman Company greatly values its long-standing relationship with the State of Michigan and Michigan Veteran Homes," said Nikki Kerchner, senior project manager for The Christman Company. "We were honored to be selected as the construction manager for this project and took great pride in being a part of the team delivering this beautiful facility for our veterans. Despite the challenges presented during these unprecedented times, we were able to reach substantial completion on time and are excited to see the deserving veterans arrive to their new home soon." 

The projected move-in date for the first veteran resident members is May 17, 2021. If you are interested in learning more information about the new Michigan Veteran Homes at Chesterfield Township, or applying for admission, please call 586-210-7103. 

Media are requested to set-up prior to 9:30 a.m. and follow all COVID-19 protocols on-site. Limited facility tours will be available prior to 9:30 a.m. and must be scheduled in advance by contacting Michael Kroll at krollm2@michigan.gov. Facility images and video are available for download at https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjzxjFk.

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