GILBERT, AZ — A proposal to realign Ash Street in Gilbert near American Legion Post 39 has raised concerns among local veterans and community members who fear the project could jeopardize their ability to serve veterans and the wider Gilbert community.
Frank Banaszewski, post commander of American Legion Post 39, said the plan calls for removing all public parking adjacent to the post, including spaces used by disabled veterans. The property is owned by the town, which presented the proposal to Post leadership, seeking input. Banaszewski said the group requested an alternate alignment but received limited flexibility.
“We have many disabled vets, including those from the Afghan War, Vietnam War, and Korean War, who rely on these spaces,” Banaszewski said. “Without them, they would be forced to walk a quarter mile in extreme heat, which just isn’t feasible.”
The post serves as a hub for veterans’ services and community outreach, offering affordable meals and hosting fundraisers that benefit local causes. Banaszewski said the potential loss of parking and increased traffic from the proposed roadway could disrupt those efforts. Post 39 raises money for projects such as providing Christmas gifts to more than 100 children in the local school district, hosting concerts, and sponsoring youth groups like the Boy Scouts and the area’s only chess club…