Veteran's Village Taking Shape: Community Center Near Complete, Tiny Homes Rising

Progress at the Veteran's 1st of NEW village is moving fast as summer approaches. With the weather finally cooperating, crews have made significant strides over the past couple of months — from the community center exterior nearly complete to the first two tiny homes getting their rough mechanicals installed.

Community center: the heartbeat of the village

The community center — described as the hub of the village — is nearly done on the outside, with only a few exterior doors and finishing touches remaining. Inside, insulation is being installed now, and sheetrocking is scheduled to begin later this week.

The building will feature a lobby, offices, and a reflection room that will serve as a museum honoring Wisconsin veterans — displaying uniforms and memorabilia from those who served. A full kitchen will allow the space to host civic groups and veterans alike for birthday parties and family gatherings. A commons area, laundromat, bathrooms, and a dedicated mail call area round out the amenities.

On-site services will also be available directly in the community center, including counseling and case management in a dedicated conference room — eliminating the need for veterans to navigate services on their own.

Tiny homes: construction in full swing

The first two tiny homes are fully framed and crews are now running all rough mechanicals — plumbing, heating, and electrical. Later this week, concrete slabs will be poured for the next four units, while excavators are already prepping the ground for the six homes after that.

When complete, the village will include 17 homes at 400 square feet and four two-bedroom units at 600 square feet. The larger units are designed for transitional housing, giving veterans experiencing shelter instability a faster path to stable housing.

Volunteers making a difference

Several volunteer groups have already been out to help, with more expected throughout the summer. What makes these visits particularly meaningful is the personal connections volunteers bring — whether as family members of veterans or veterans themselves. Those stories of purpose and connection keep the team energized on the job site.

If you'd like to volunteer or support the project, stay tuned for upcoming opportunities as the busy summer construction season ramps up.