Enterprise, Ala.(WDNews) – Rebuilding efforts at the Command Sgt. Maj. Bennie G. Adkins State Veterans Home in Enterprise are expected to stretch into 2026, following an April fire that left the facility heavily damaged.
According to the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA), it will take approximately 12 to 14 months to restore the building. The project’s price tag is estimated between $50 million and $60 million. That’s on top of the original $98.8 million cost to build the home, which had only been open for about six months before the fire broke out.
“We continue to work diligently to ensure that every resident of the Command Sgt. Maj. Bennie G. Adkins State Veterans Home is able to return safely and comfortably as soon as possible,” said ADVA Commissioner Jeff Newton in a written statement.
Since the fire, displaced residents have been relocated to a section of Enterprise Health and Rehab. HMR of Alabama, the company contracted to manage the state’s veterans homes, is continuing to oversee their care.
The fire caused severe damage, wiping out essential areas including the kitchen, laundry, and utility room. A damage map shared by ADVA shows that a large portion of the facility was impacted—either directly by the flames or by water used in the extended firefighting efforts.
The fire has been classified as accidental. Officials reported that it started while contractors were working on ventilation systems above the kitchen.
“In Enterprise, our veterans are not just a priority; they are a pillar of our community,” said Mayor William Cooper. “We are deeply grateful to the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs and the staff at Enterprise Health and Rehabilitation for the compassionate care they continue to provide. Their efforts have created more than just a temporary residence; they’ve created a home. We eagerly await the day our heroes return to the Command Sergeant Major Bennie G. Adkins State Veterans Home, a facility built to reflect the honor, respect, and gratitude they have so rightfully earned.”
