Gagen McCoy is proud to be working with the Veterans Memorial Building Development Committee of San Ramon Valley to bring a new Veterans Hall to downtown Danville.  The Committee is made up of representatives of the Town of Danville, City of San Ramon, Supervisor Mary Piepho’s office, Congressman McNerney’s office, the VFW, the American Legion, Blue Star Moms and other veterans’ organizations.  The Committee, local businesses and members of the local community are all participating in this grass-roots effort to raise funds for the new facility and to raise awareness of the need for this facility.

You may have already noticed that much of the old Vets Hall has been leveled, its historic façade presreved, and new construction already underway on the new facility.  However, there is still much work to be done to secure financing for this ambitious and worthy project.

The new Veterans Memorial Building in Danville will serve as a center for the Veteran community, including current and future veterans, family and friends as well as the auxiliary groups that support our military (such as Blue Star Moms).  The Committee is working to ensure that current and future veterans are granted the free use of the Veterans Memorial Building and that the first priority of building programming be directed toward the needs of veterans organizations.  This is consistent with the original 1921 mandate of the United States Congress relating to the establishment of Veterans Memorial Buildings.

The Committee is also working to ensure that the development of the facility adds value to the tax payers by providing a location for civic, social and recreational activities, and social opportunities for local senior citizens.  The facility has been designed to encourage visitation to the downtown Danville area, which will in turn support economic development by encouraging business activity for local shop owners, restaurants and other businesses.

Perhaps the most challenging task of the Committee in the coming years will be to ensure that the Veterans Memorial Building is a financially viable enterprise.  To that end, any annual positive cash flow derived from rental income, fundraising or endowment income will be invested in the long term programming, maintenance and viability of the facility.  The Committee will also continue efforts to raise funds to support the development and eventual operation of the Veterans Memorial Building, including the initiation and operation of an ongoing endowment fund.  Gagen McCoy is proud to participate in the efforts of the local community to bring this much-needed facility to fruition.  If you would like to join in these efforts, please visit http://srvveteranshall.org/ to find out how you can participate in the project or donate to this worthy cause.