Gordon Puts $87M Veterans’ Home Remodel Back on the Budget Wish List

The original story by Jen Sieve-Hicks for Buffalo Bulletin.

Gov. Mark Gordon is taking another run at a big-ticket makeover for the Veterans’ Home of Wyoming in Buffalo, again asking lawmakers to put serious money behind a project supporters say is long overdue.

In his latest budget recommendation, Gordon included $87 million to renovate and modernize the facility’s domiciliary care unit — essentially the assisted-living side of the home.

The catch: while the state hopes to get US Department of Veterans Affairs construction grant money to help pay for it, Wyoming isn’t exactly first in line. The Wyoming Department of Health warned lawmakers back in an October 2023 memo that the project ranked 69th out of 73 eligible projects and is pricier than most. The department estimates it may be two to eight years before it rises to the top.

Health officials say the building is showing its age. A 2013 assessment gave it a “fair” rating, and some of the newest additions were built back in 1973 and 1983. The bigger red flags are older sections from 1941 and 1973 that aren’t ADA compliant, plus shared bathrooms that aren’t ideal for residents who need assisted-living care.

Sen. Barry Crago, R-Buffalo, says the state already knows it’s one of the biggest needs on the capital construction list — but keeps failing to fund it.

“The veterans deserve better and we need to do better,” Crago said.

Gordon made the same point in a written statement, noting that an attempt to fund the renovation during the last general session didn’t make it to his desk.

Rep. Marilyn Connolly, R-Buffalo, said every year of delay makes the price tag worse — and she believes the state will eventually be reimbursed once the federal grant money comes through.

“I think they just need to quit stalling on it and allocate the funds,” Connolly said, adding that the domiciliary area badly needs upgrades.

The State Building Commission pitched the project to the Joint Appropriations Committee on Dec. 5, but the committee didn’t act. Lawmakers are expected to start marking up the governor’s budget in January.

At the committee meeting, Sen. Mike Gierau, D-Jackson, questioned whether the state is pushing forward mainly because the feds are taking too long.

State Department of Construction Director Delbert McOmie said inflation is a big driver — and it’s already reshaped the project’s cost split. What once penciled out closer to 65% federal / 35% state has shifted to 47% federal / 53% state, he said.

“The longer we delay, the higher the inflation,” McOmie told lawmakers.

Not everyone is sold on the current plan. Sen. Tim French, R-Powell, said he supports veterans but questioned whether an $87 million remodel is the smartest route.

“Sometimes you’re better off tearing that building down and rebuilding it with our modern facilities,” French said.

This isn’t Gordon’s first try. He included $69 million for the project in his 2024 budget proposal, and the House initially kept it in — but it got cut later during conference committee negotiations. Last year, Gordon also asked for it in a supplemental budget request, and Connolly and Crago introduced bills to keep it alive. That effort died when the Senate declined to approve a supplemental budget in 2025.

Now it’s back — again — with Gordon framing it as a basic health-and-safety obligation.

Connolly said she has toured the home with several Joint Appropriations Committee members, including veterans Rep. John Bear, R-Gillette, and Rep. Ken Pendergraft, R-Sheridan, and she’s hoping that firsthand look helps push the funding over the finish line this time.