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Sarasota National Cemetery Gets A Push to Complete Columbarium

September 10, 2010 - United States Representative Vern Buchanan (R.-Sarasota) called out the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in a press statement. Buchanan stated there is no reason for the construction of a 7,000 space columbarium to be a year behind schedule. Buchanan further mentioned there are over 100 families waiting on the completion of the cemetery so they can put their loved ones to rest.

Buchanan also wrote a letter to VA Sec. Eric Shinseki to give the VA that extra public push they obviously need to finish the project. Buchanan referred to the cemetery as being "significantly behind schedule."

Construction was supposed to begin in May of 2009 and end in May of 2011. The VA put out a $28 million contract in June, 2009. The following 14 months saw 4 different contractors being awarded the contract and none of them could meet the criterion to take the bid. The VA then cancelled the contract and started at square one with the bidding process.

Representatives of the Cemetery Advisory Committee put the blame the construction schedule. As it stands now, construction won't be completed until at least 2012. The contract is currently set-aside and will only be awarded to a veteran-owned business. Those businesses not awarded the contract can, and do, protest the decision, which delays the process even more.