KYLE — Kyle City Council members listened to a presentation by the VFW Post 12058 in Kyle in regards to property located at 105 Veterans Drive at its Feb. 18 meeting.
According to VFW representative Larry Stamps, the nonprofit is requesting the city to allow the organization to make its base at 105 Veterans Drive, which currently is not involved in any city plans, but is set to be purchased by the city within the next month.
Several community members spoke in support of the item, including VFW and AMVETS members and Boy Scout Troops.
“I am here not just for myself, but for the men and women who wore the uniform, those who sacrificed for this country and those who continue to serve long after their time in the military has ended,” said VFW Post 12058 Quartermaster Steven Cook. “But we are at capacity; we need room to grow.”
Cook explained that the VFW supports the community through job assistance, counseling and community outreach. In addition to this, he noted that in the past two years, the organization opened a free community closet for more than 100 veterans and residents, hosted a veteran service dog telethon and had an impact that reached beyond the city.
“The VFW, I think, deserves a bigger building because they help this community so much and it would be great if the community gave back to the VFW,” said VFW chartered Boy Scout America Troop 1948 member Emma Basco. “I think that the VFW deserves this and so do [the Boy Scout] Troops that are chartered by the VFW.”
Following public comments, Stamps gave a presentation regarding the advancement of the nonprofit in the city.
He explained that although the organization is grateful to have moved to its current location, as it has allowed it to continue to benefit the community and grow programs — such as a recent partnership with the Community Emergency Response Team to install radio communications and other programs at the facility — it is quickly outgrowing its present location.
“If we obtain the property at 105, we would basically be able to double in size,” emphasized the representative. “If there is an option for a suitable or better property somewhere in Kyle, that would be great, as well.”
Stamps revealed that on Feb. 17, the VFW signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the American Red Cross (ARC), which also believes that this expansion would be valuable. The additional location of ARC would also provide an improved response time, as opposed to when it is located in other parts of the county.
“We ask that no decision be made on this property’s use until all options between the city and the VFW have been exhausted, including identifying another similar to suitable location,” said Stamps.
Beginning the discussion on the dais was council member Michael Tobias, who informed community members in attendance that when the 105 Veterans Drive purchase was presented at the Jan. 21 meeting, he dissented because “in fairness, in my vision, I did not have an idea of what the city needed to use it for.”
“I’d like to be able to work with my colleagues first to see how we would evaluate this property because, again, I was a ’no’ vote on this specific property, but hearing everybody’s testimony, everybody’s needs for a new facility … [we’re] going to need to start the wheels turning on how we can start to accommodate,” said Tobias.
Mayor Travis Mitchell recalled discussions with the Kyle Police Department in the past that explained that moving into facilities that are available versus having a custom-built building is a lot different and the latter was preferred, as it met its needs long-term. So, this is an idea to consider, according to Mitchell.
“The broader conversation [is] about: how we engage with the VFW; how do we grow with the VFW; how do we help the VFW and AMVETS; and the different organizations around come together and not just be a little better, but the best,” said Mitchell. “We would love to be a part of a project that would knock your socks off and I’m just not sure going from one residence to two residences is the best long-term solution.”
Council member Robert Rizo requested members’ numbers from attending veteran organizations in the room, which was 60 for the VFW, 72 for AMVETS and an undisclosed amount for the Ladies Auxiliary, though he noted that before the end of the year, there would be approximately 200 combined. These individuals, along with a new veterans group coming into Hays County, only emphasizes that a conversation about a bigger space is needed in the future, said Rizo, and he suggested using Patriots’ Hall in Dripping Springs as a blueprint.
“As veterans are, we fight. We’ll be back,” concluded Stamps.
To listen to the discussion, visit bit.ly/41nMEDR. Kyle City Council will convene next on Feb. 25.
