Sarasota National Cemetery work lags

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs got a very public nudge Tuesday to get back on schedule with construction of Sarasota National Cemetery.

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota, said in a press release that the construction of a columbarium with 7,000 spaces is more than a year behind schedule and that more than 100 families are waiting to inter loved ones.

A columbarium is an above-ground structure where funeral urns can be placed.

“This process has now fallen significantly behind schedule,” Buchanan wrote in a letter to VA Secretary Eric Shinseki. “As a result, the families of veterans in and around Sarasota are waiting to inter their loved ones at this new VA facility.”

Award of phase 1B construction was originally scheduled for May of 2009 with a May 2011 completion date. In June of 2009, the VA put a $28 million contract out for bid. Over the next 14 months, four contractors were awarded the contract, and subsequently disqualified for failure to meet elements of the bid criterion, Buchanan wrote.

Recently, the VA canceled the contract and started over with the bidding process.

Don Courtney of Bradenton, a member of the cemetery advisory committee since 2002, said the break-down in the construction schedule “is putting us behind the eight-ball.”

A representative of Buchanan’s office attended a recent meeting of the advisory committee and took back a request for the congressman to intercede, Courtney said.

“Even once they award the contract, it’s a year and a half before it’s completed. We’re looking at 2012 or later,” Courtney said.

Wesley Jones, cemetery director, said the contract is a set-aside for small businesses owned by veterans.

“The process allows for protest. The person who doesn’t get a contract is allowed to protest the contract,” Jones said.

“I’m real excited to tell you that process has ended and we have a presolicitation of construction meeting set for 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 23 the Venice Community Center,” he said.

The Venice Community Center is located at 326 S. Nokomis Ave.

Management of the contract and bid process is handled by the VA out of Washington, D.C.

“I understand the need to ensure that VA contracts comply with federal and VA regulations and policies, but this project is now more than a year behind schedule,” wrote Buchanan.

He asked for assurances that the Sarasota National Cemetery will get back on schedule for on-time completion. Buchanan also asked for an explanation of steps being taken by the VA to achieve that goal.

Since the 295-acre cemetery opened in January 2009, there have been 2,450 interments there, Jones said.

About 65 percent of the interments are cremations and there are most likely more than 100 families waiting for the columbarium to be built, he said.

Sarasota National Cemetery is being built in phases on the former Hawkins Ranch property, located off State Road 72 east of Interstate 75.

The VA purchased the tract for $14 million in 2007.

When the first phase is completed, it is scheduled to include the columbarium, scattering garden, 500 in-ground spaces for cremated remains, and 18,200 casket gravesites.

Plans also call for the cemetery to eventually have an administration and public information center with electronic grave site locator and public restrooms.

Jo Schuda, a spokeswoman for the VA, issued a statement about the construction problem at Sarasota National Cemetery:

“We are sensitive to the wishes of the families who specifically desire above-ground inurnment in a columbarium, and we are working to provide that option as soon as possible. We continue to offer both casket and cremation burial options to veterans and their family members at Sarasota National Cemetery. VA is moving as quickly as possible under law and the appeal rights of all contractors concerned.”

Elsewhere in Florida, the VA has announced plans to build cemeteries near Tallahassee and Cape Canaveral.

For more information about the pre-solicitation of construction meeting for Sarasota National Cemetery, visit www.fbo.gov, go to opportunities and enter solicitation number va10110rp0129.

James A. Jones Jr., East Manatee Editor, can be contacted at 745-7021.