Bohler Supports Veterans Village: Engineering a Home for Those Who Served 

In Island Park, NY, a long-vacant, storm-damaged motel is being transformed into something far more meaningful. Left in disrepair after Hurricane Sandy, the property is finding a new purpose as Veterans Village — a 57-unit community created to support veterans on Long Island’s south shore. 

Led by the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, the project represents a powerful alignment of opportunity and need. The site, spanning just under an acre in a dense, coastal setting, offered the ideal location to bring the organization’s mission to life — providing stable, supportive housing for those who have served. With strong backing from the town, county, neighbors, and project partners, Veterans Village has quickly become a source of shared excitement and pride. 

Bohler is proud to support this effort, providing site civil engineering design and permit expediting to keep the project moving forward. Despite the complexities of building in a flood-prone coastal environment, the team is focused on turning the once-neglected site into a place of safety, dignity, and renewed opportunity for veterans. 

Strong Collaboration from the Start

From day one, Veterans Village was defined by a collaborative, team-driven approach. With significant engineering constraints tied to site conditions, close coordination between Bohler, the architect, structural and geotechnical engineers, land use attorney, and Tunnel to Towers stakeholders, was critical to maintaining momentum.  

While early concepts established a compelling vision, Bohler helped ground that vision into a clear path forward — coordinating survey and geotechnical insights, navigating local regulations, and guiding the team through critical early decisions. This proactive alignment across the team ensured all disciplines were working together, creating a smooth transition from concept into execution. 

Engineering Challenges on a Tight, Coastal Site

The site presented a range of complex engineering challenges driven by its unique coastal location. Situated within a floodplain and flanked by water on two sides, the site experiences high groundwater — approximately three and a half feet below grade — and contains unsuitable soil conditions. These factors dictated critical design decisions, including placing parking at ground level while elevating residential units to meet floodplain requirements and protect future residents. 

A Community Built for Those Who Served

Beyond the technical challenges, Veterans Village is a project with real purpose — and one Bohler’s is proud to support. The Tunnel to Towers Foundation is widely recognized for its advocacy on behalf of 9/11 first responders and military personnel, and Veterans Village will provide stable housing for veterans in need. 

Designed to foster community and well-being, the development includes shared common areas and a central courtyard that encourage connection among residents. For Bohler, supporting projects like this is part of a broader commitment to the communities we serve. That extends beyond project delivery, with team members participating in the Tunnels to Towers 5K Run to support the organization’s work—demonstrating that the collaboration is about more than engineering; it’s about building a community that honors and serves those who served. 

Learn more about Tunnel to Towers Foundation, its programs, and how you can help here.