Monterey acquiring the VFW Post 6277 building and its surrounding property to preserve the site for continued community use.
Town Administrator Rafferty Cleary said the transfer of ownership includes the physical structure and the land, with a formal conveyance of property expected to take effect next week.
“I’m a fan of spaces where our community members can come together and gather,” Cleary said. “So, you know, that I guess that would be something I would like to see this building continue to serve as a public gathering place.”
Cleary said the VFW has also proposed donating historical items from the building to the Monterey Depot Historical Society for preservation in the local museum. Cleary said the building is currently in good condition and meets local codes while hosting several active tenants. Cleary said the facility is used weekly by community organizations and a church that holds services on Sundays.
“We certainly don’t want to disrupt those activities that are taking place over there, but this is a relatively new situation and the city is going to have to sit down, brainstorm, strategize on what the best use of that property is in the long term, but as of right now, there’s activities taking place in there on a weekly basis and we certainly don’t want to disrupt those, and that’s not our intent to do so, and we’re just going to maintain status quo,” Cleary said.
The property also features a Veterans Memorial Park that the town intends to refurbish. Cleary said officials plan to repair a gas-operated burning flame that is currently malfunctioning and clean the stonework that honors Gold Star Veterans from the Monterey community.
“Public input is always paramount in local government, and once we coordinate with elected officials and city staff to set up a time to really figure out what is in the best interest for that building in the long term, I would hope that the public has an opportunity to voice their opinions and ideas along with those officials,” Cleary said.
Cleary said the town did not conduct a formal inspection or cost assessment for renovations prior to accepting the property because the building is already functional. Cleary said the transfer was initiated through a provision in the existing VFW deed.
“I think it’s important to stress that, you know, this is in the early stages,” Cleary said. “This transfer to the town was, you know, within the existing deed that the VFW had, so it’s falling in our lap and, you know, the city is going to come together and strategize a best use for that facility, but things are really, really early on in the process right now.”
Cleary said he hopes to schedule a coordinating meeting with elected officials in the near future to begin brainstorming the long-term vision for the site.
