Lofgren Presents $1.2 Million Check to Renovate Watsonville Veterans Hall
WATSONVILLE, CA — Today, Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (CA-18) visited the Watsonville Veterans Hall to deliver a check for $1,200,000 as one of her 13 community projects she submitted for the Fiscal Year 2026 congressional appropriations cycle. This funding will be used for significant renovations to the building, including new plumbing, an HVAC system, and replacement of the elevator.
"Our Veterans Hall is a much-needed community space for Watsonville, but it's had decades of deferred maintenance needs, and it's critical that we make the renovations necessary to make this building into the gathering place that this city deserves," Rep. Zoe Lofgren said. "The second floor is not currently being used, and with this $1.2 million I've secured, it will help to replace the elevator and make the modifications necessary for community groups to properly enjoy this space."
"With this support, the South County Veterans and community will have the opportunity to enjoy a higher scope of utilization of the Watsonville Veterans Memorial Building," said LoisRae Guin, a 98-year-old U.S. Navy veteran who helped to establish the food pantry program at the Veterans Hall. "This will enable the offering of additional programs and support for South County Veterans and the community."
“We thank Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren for securing federal funding to improve ADA accessibility at the Watsonville Veterans Memorial Hall," said Santa Cruz County District 4 Supervisor Felipe Hernandez. "This investment removes long-standing barriers and ensures our veterans — including those with disabilities — can fully access the programs and services they deserve. On behalf of our veterans, the American Legion, and the VFW, we are grateful for her leadership and for continuing to secure meaningful federal resources that strengthen our community.”
“The Watsonville Veterans Memorial Building is a vital community resource, providing space for essential services, gatherings, and programs that support both veterans and the broader community," said Jeff Gaffney, Director of Parks, Open Space and Cultural Services at Santa Cruz County. "This funding will improve accessibility and ensure the facility remains welcoming and inclusive—especially for those who have served our nation. It reflects the County’s continued commitment to honoring and supporting our veterans and equitable access for all.”
The Veterans Memorial Hall at 215 E Beach Street is owned by the County of Santa Cruz and managed by the City of Watsonville’s Parks and Community Services. The bottom floor, a 6,032 square foot space and a kitchen, is currently used by the city for community activities, event rentals, and as an emergency overnight cold shelter for the unhoused.
Local community groups are interested in using the 2nd floor to provide services to residents of Watsonville. However, to make the space useable for these purposes and fully accessible, an elevator needs to be replaced, and the 2nd floor needs to be remodeled. In addition to the elevator, other enhancements needed include internal construction, structural improvements, an HVAC (heating, venting, air conditioning) system, plumbing, technology hardware, and painting. Project priority is for renovation of the elevator first and then other space and facility upgrades, as programming could at least occur in some of the spaces if access for all community members was available.
Rep. Lofgren will continue to deliver checks to community project funding recipients in the near future, which includes a total of $58,022,000 for Watsonville and Santa Cruz County.
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