New American Legion Breaks Ground

About 90 people gathered at a construction site off Florence Street Monday morning to witness and celebrate the start of construction on a new home for American Legion Post 820 and 30 senior and veterans.

Construction is expected to conclude on the first phase of construction by the end of the 2012 and all construction is scheduled to finish by spring 2013.

"We'd have been closed within a year," said Post Commander Paul Slatinsky after the ceremony, pointing to repairs and changes that would have been necessary if a new legion wasn't being built.

Instead, the legion will retain ownership of a new post while Hitzke assumes ownership of the apartments. Common areas will be split between the two.

Post Adjutant Kathy Bourke has been part of the local legion since 1989, and she's excited that the new American Legion and its military flags will be one of the first things people see when they enter IB.

The journey to a new legion began four years ago when Mayor Jim Janney brought the idea to Legion members, she said. The legion would go through three different developers who weren't up to the task of working with the legion and its 100+ members.

"They wouldn't meet our demands so we said no," she said. "But Ginger [Hitzke] actually did say 'That sounds like fun.'"

The first vote would fail by a 2-1 margin, but a new post would be approved in two subsequent votes.

Led by Mayor Janney, the city's Housing Agency approved giving $4.4 million to the $8.5 million project. 

The project will be held to high environmental standards and may attempt for LEED certification, developers said.

Attendees were joined by and Captain Yancy B. Lindsey. Naval Base San Diego Color Guard started and finished the ceremony.

Lee Gutierrez with the California Department of Veteran Affairs said he hopes the legion's new building will attract some new young faces.

With drawdowns from combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, young people returning from war could use the "old dogs" as mentors. The suicide rate for young troops is shameful, he said, and veterans often feel uncomfortable talking to people who haven't shared their experience. 

"I've been with those folks in combat," he said. "I could tell you stories that would curl your hair."

"I implore on you to be their buddy," Gutierrez said.

Bourke said she wants to see the legion attract more young members in the future as well. The new legion will be more up to date with free Wi-Fi and a game room.

Legion members are welcoming to servicemembers and their families, Bourke said, and a few young members have signed up recently, but a bright new interior with extra space and eating areas can't hurt.

"They want to be here but they want to have more than to hear old war stories," she said.