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Operation Lakeshore’s Family Cottage Community

“We want to build Lakeshore Foundation a $2.3 million family housing complex and it won’t cost you a thing.”

So stated Capstone Development President Mike Mouron in 2008.

“As you might imagine, Lakeshore was slightly incredulous. I’m not sure if they thought I was joking…or maybe a little crazy,” he said.

But Mouron quickly made it clear that he was, indeed, serious, and that he had the resources to deliver what he promised.

Birmingham-based Capstone Development is one of the country’s leaders in building and managing student housing and mixed-used communities on or near university campuses. The company is responsible for developing student housing equaling more than 50,000 beds and totaling over $2.3 billion in project costs.

“It all began with a newspaper article about Lakeshore’s injured military programs that my wife Kathy read,” Mouron explained. “I have a special admiration for our military, especially for those who have been injured while protecting our country. I feel we owe them a debt of gratitude that we can never repay. I wanted to do whatever I could to help, so I arranged for a tour of the Lakeshore campus.”

While Lakeshore’s existing dormitory provides weekend housing for injured veterans, Mouron explained that there was a real need for family housing and extended stay accommodations. “I knew Capstone had the internal capabilities to build what was needed,” Mouron said, “and that’s how Operation Lakeshore was born.”

Begun in April, construction is slated for completion in just seven months, with the official ribbon cutting scheduled for Veterans Day.

The complex will be named after Opelika, Alabama native Robert Howard, the most decorated soldier in U.S history. Howard was recommended for the Medal of Honor on three separate occasions, was wounded 14 times during the Vietnam Conflict and received eight Purple Hearts.

The new cottage community will allow Lakeshore not only to house families comfortably during its new Operation Down Home family camp, but also to expand its ongoing Operation Endurance programs to veterans nationwide. This will allow for more intensive, individualized and open-ended programs and services to, including Paralympic training for injured military.  

The project calls for two three-bedroom cottages and four duplex cottages. It was designed by Birmingham-based Dungan Nequette Architects and adapted from Capstone’s $53 million Creekside project located near Auburn University.

The U-shaped complex will be anchored by an arbor with a fireplace at one end and a fountain with seating at the other. Each cottage will be furnished with flat screen TVs in both the living and bed rooms, granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. Children can also enjoy the new playground.“Our goal is to create a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere for these families who suffered so much,” Mouron said.

Once the project was approved, Mouron began searching for contributors. “Response has been overwhelming,” he said. “There has been a tremendous outpouring of support because this is obviously something everyone cares about. I literally can’t think of anyone involved in the project who is being paid anything. Engineers and architects have volunteered their services. Items from building materials to furniture are being donated. Our partners include Whirlpool, Kohler, LG, Design House, LP Building Products, Silverline Windows, Weather-Tech Distributing Company, Provenance Digital Media, Appalachian University Systems and many others.

Mouron concluded, “I’ve been to ribbon-cuttings from one coast to the other, but I can honestly say this is the one about which I’m most excited. This project has been truly special.”

Lakeshore Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dependent on the support of individuals and corporations in our community.

If you are interested in supporting Lakeshore Foundation programs, contact us for more information.

View a list of organizations that currently support Lakeshore Foundation.