The Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs said Friday that it will take 12-14 months and cost $50 to $60 million to repair the new state veterans home damaged in a fire this spring.

The Bennie G. Adkins State Veterans Home in Enterprise had about 90 occupants when the fire struck on April 16. There were no injuries, the department said.

The residents were moved to the Enterprise Health and Rehabilitation Center.

In a news release, the department said Commissioner Jeff Newton and Enterprise Mayor William Cooper met with the displaced veterans on Thursday to provide an update on restoration of the facility.

“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,” Newton said.

“This is a complex process involving many moving parts, and we are grateful for the continued patience and understanding shown by our veterans and their families. Our top priority remains the health and well-being of our veterans, and we are committed to restoring their home with the care and dignity they deserve.”

The Bennie G. Adkins Home opened last year and is the fifth state veterans home in Alabama. Construction cost of the home was $98.8 million, the department said.

Brandon Miller, director of outreach for the veterans department, said funding for the repair will be covered through the Alabama Division of Risk Management and insurance reimbursement.

Planning for the Bennie G. Adkins home started back in 2018, partly to help reduce a waiting list for the other veterans homes.

Those are the Bill Nichols State Veterans Home in Alexander City, the Tut Fann State Veterans Home in Huntsville, the William F. Green State Veterans Home in Bay Minette, and the Colonel Robert L. Howard State Veterans Home in Pell City.

The homes provide nursing home-level skilled care.

Sandra Lucas, deputy commissioner of the veterans department, said the fire started during a project to install stairs for roof access.

Lucas said the fire was contained to the roof. But smoke and water damaged other portions of the facility, including the kitchen and utilities.

Lucas said the occupants were evacuated in less than 30 minutes.

“Everybody was safe with equipment that they had to have,” Lucas said.

“Enterprise, the community, the home, everybody just stepped up and made the transition into a temporary living space really nice.

“We will never have enough words of appreciation for that community.”