MILWAUKEE— A historic building on the grounds of the Milwaukee VA has been vacant since 1989, but soon it will come back to life.
Spectrum News got an inside look at the progress of the building just a month before it opens back up to veterans.
It’s a 150-year-old historic building, known as the soldiers' home. It was used to house soldiers during the Civil War. It’s a historic landmark that is getting a second lease on life.
The once run-down building was in shambles just less than two years ago.
There are 101 units in the building that will assist veterans who are at risk for homelessness. The building is referred to as Old Main, offering rental assistance for veterans who will fill the rooms in hopes of improving the quality of their life.
“To work on consenting that is so unifying for a country it’s always been an honor to work on this development,” The Alexander Company development project manager, Jonathan Beck says.
The Milwaukee VA will also have a handful of clinical services available in-house for those who move in.
“This is an amazing opportunity for us to provide easy access for healthcare and mental healthcare right here on campus and work on that goal to provide permanent housing for our veterans,” Milwaukee VA homelessness program assistant program director, Amy Mauel says.
March 1, is the day this place takes on a new task: Serving as a warm place to stay for those who served our country.
So far, 34 veterans have already signed up to live in the historic Old Main house. They are hoping to be at 50% capacity by opening day.
