What the drawings don't show is what the home and its planners have already been through. The property is surrounded by what was supposed to be Running Horse, a golf course and housing development that even Donald Trump couldn't save after haggling with city leaders back in 2007. "We held onto our land. We didn't move for anyone. Donald tried, but we saw the future," said Waters.
Waters said when completed, the home will bring 452 jobs to Fresno and house hundreds of Veterans. "The most important thing is there will be 300 veterans able to have a place to live and be taken care of," said Waters.
People who live near the site are also hopeful. "It's about time. They cleared out everything, the grapes, and the almonds. It's been a dust storm ever since," said southwest Fresno resident Bobby Stimpson.
The former Running Horse site is now a dumping ground, and a few never-completed homes have been abandoned. For those nearby, it is all a painful reminder of what could have been. Joseph Desorsiers bought land in between the home and golf course four years ago. He's since built a home on the property but ran out of money before he was able to complete the driveway. "I was thinking I was going to make an investment coming out here, it was looking pretty good. They had this Running Horse thing ... I thought I could make some money and help what's going on out here," said Desorsiers.
Now, Desorsiers is waiting, hoping the Veterans home will spark a turnaround. And Waters still isn't giving up on his dream of a Veterans home near a golf course. "We're sure developers will see this, 27 acres of trees!" said Waters.
This Veterans home comes with a price tag of $158 million, money that will come from money set aside by legislation passed in 2000. The governor will be joined by state and city leaders for Wednesday's groundbreaking.
