$400M bond bill is a key step toward building a new Holyoke Soldiers’ Home
Updated Feb 11, 2021;
BOSTON The Baker administration on Thursday filed a $400 million bond bill to forge ahead with construction of a new Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke.
The bill, “An Act Financing the Reconstruction of the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke,” is the first step in securing financing for a new building to replace the 70-year-old veterans’ care facility on Cherry Street.
The state-run nursing home was particularly hard-hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
At least 76 veterans died at an alarming pace between March and June. Dozens more tested positive, along with more than 80 staff, some of whom have testified they were traumatized by trying to keep up with the death toll and care for the sick.