Foundation working to end veteran homelessness proposes complex in Coral Springs

An organization working to end veteran homelessness has proposed retrofitting a La Quinta Inn and Suites in Coral Springs to build a new housing complex for over 100 service members.

The new “Veterans Village” at 3701 N. University Dr. has been proposed by Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which builds “long-term supportive housing and access to supportive services in order to ensure that veterans have a place to live with comfort, dignity and hope as they work towards financial stability and independence.”

The organization is seeking to renovate the five-story, roughly 195,226-square-foot hotel just north of the intersection with Sample Road into a dormitory-style housing complex with single-room living spaces and recreational amenities. There’s another La Quinta Inn less than a mile south on University Drive that isn’t part of the proposal.

The ground floor will feature a gym, kitchen, cafeteria, game room, screening room, pantry and professional development center. The other four floors will have the studios.

“This project will include demolition, framing, interior finishes and upgrades to the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems,” according to the city.

The nonprofit was founded by the family of a firefighter who died during rescue efforts in the 9/11 attacks in New York. The Veterans Village program is intended to offer a combination of transitional and long-term support to veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

Records show the developers applied for a Development Review Committee minor amendment in May.