West Westmoreland was in on the ground floor of a volunteer medical clinic project that serves Jacksonville’s estimated 120,000 working uninsured/underinsured.
Westmoreland, president of Jaguar Builders, was the force behind the project that made it possible for Volunteers in Medicine in Jacksonville to open the clinic’s doors last fall.
Jaguar Builders was the general contractor on the project, and the first task was to gut the building.
Built in the 1940s, the structure needed new everything, and Westmoreland had amassed a list of people he could call on who owed him a favor or two.
Westmoreland’s calls paid off.
Esposito Architects drew up preliminary and final plans.
Barry Parker Plumbing and Ace Plumbing contributed fixtures and services.
United Electrical provided a new electrical system.
Joe Turner Roofing put on a new roof.
JTE and B&B drywall companies helped demolish the old and frame the new.
Lumber Unlimited and Quality Hardware contributed lumber, doors and door hardware.
Dorothy Dorion, co-founder of VIM, was at the Northeast Florida Builders Association board meeting to help present the member of the month award to Westmoreland.
“We did not see much hope for the building,” she said of the former Paulus Building on Duval and Ocean streets. “But we brought West in to look it over, and he literally brought it to life from near ruin.”
Dorion said she and some of the other staff and volunteers saw the transformation take place and appreciate, perhaps more than those just now joining the project, the level of effort required to accomplish such a change.
Westmoreland, who served on the Mayor’s Disability Council from 1994-2003, was characteristically modest about his role in the effort, giving credit to the many other members who stepped up to the plate with materials and labor provided by NEFBA members at cost, discounted or free.
“A lot of people worked on this project,” said Westmoreland. “We have tried to help whenever we can, but this was a big project and were fortunate to have so much help.”