GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Demolition has begun at the old Michigan Veterans Home in Grand Rapids, marking the latest evolution in a long history for the plot of land across from Riverfront Park.
“This site and this campus — we have been serving veterans for 140 years,” said Ryan Engle, director of development for Michigan Veterans Home. “This is a big step for our campus and a big step for our veterans.”
The two buildings being torn down were built in 1946 and the 1980’s, with hospital-style accommodations for their long-term residents. That model is no longer the standard.
“It is an old hospital feel in there,” Engel described. “Long hallways, dim lights. When a veteran enters long-term care, they shouldn’t feel like they are going into a hospital for the rest of their life. They should feel like, ‘I’m not going home, but it is the next best thing.”…