Keystone Completes Construction on Veterans of Foreign War Post #10003
NEWS RELEASE
Carmel, IN – Carmel’s Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post #10003 is now open at 12863 Old Meridian Street. The new post, completed last fall, was built by Keystone Construction as part of public private partnership with the Carmel Redevelopment Commission (CRC).
The process of relocating the VFW Post began more than five years ago as the CRC started planning the redevelopment of the block located north of Main Street between 1st Avenue NW and 2nd Avenue NW in the Old Town area of Carmel. The block, commonly referred to as CRC Parcel #47, was chosen for development as plans for the Carmel Arts and Design District progressed. At the time, the VFW Post #10003 was located on the northeast corner of the block, at the intersection of 1st Street NW and 1st Avenue NW.
The CRC began negotiations with members of the Carmel VFW to construct a new facility in the original location as part of the proposed development project for that area. In 2008, the CRC approved the proposal presented by Keystone Construction for a multi-use facility entitled the “Arts District Lofts & Shoppes.” The proposed development consisted of a four-story building with retail, restaurant and gallery space on the first floor and residential on the above three floors. Included in the original design was a new facility for the VFW Post #10003 to be constructed in the original location at the northeast corner of the site.
As discussions progressed with Keystone Construction, the CRC and members of the Carmel VFW, an agreement was reached regarding the relocation of VFW Post #10003 to an off-site location for minimal interruption to VFW activity as the Arts District Lofts & Shoppes project progressed. In 2008 the CRC purchased the former Apostolic Church building at the southwest corner of Main Street and Old Meridian with plans to renovate the facility to meet the VFW’s requirements.
Soon after, Keystone Construction offered a second option for the members of the VFW, including the construction of a new facility on property theyowned on Old Meridian. The VFW voted between the two sites and the new facility proposed by Keystone Construction was selected. The VFW reviewed and approved every detail of the construction process and Keystone Construction constructed the new VFW post within six months of the agreement. Members of the VFW Post #10003 occupied the space in November and held their grand opening celebration on Veterans Day, November 11, 2009.
“The Membership thanks Mayor Jim Brainard, Les Olds of the CRC, Ersal Ozdemir of Keystone Construction as well as all the staff members that worked tirelessly to bring us to our new facility,” said Glenn Sheffer, VFW Project Manager.
VFW Post #10003 opens at 11 am, Monday – Friday, with lunch served Wed., Thurs. & Fri. and opens for breakfast on Saturday mornings at 8am. The Post is open at noon every Sunday.
