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VA Announces Preferred Site for New Orleans
Medical Center
August 21, 2007
VA Plans to Return to Downtown
WASHINGTON – To provide veterans in New Orleans and throughout
southeastern Louisiana the high quality health care they deserve and
expect, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today announced a
preferred downtown site for reconstruction of a VA Medical Center in New
Orleans.
“The veterans of Louisiana are one step closer to a world-class medical
center returning to the Crescent City,” said Secretary of Veterans
Affairs Jim Nicholson. “By their service, veterans have earned the very
best, and VA is ensuring they get it.”
Nicholson said the preferred site is located on 34 acres of land bounded
by South Rocheblave Street to the north, South Galvez Street to the
south, Tulane Avenue to the west, and Canal Street to the east. VA
continues to evaluate collaboration with other local health care
providers for shared services based on physical, financial and
programmatic viability, including support for overall health care
redesign.
“The recovery and advancement of the health care system in the Gulf
Coast is a vital component of long-term economic recovery,” said
Chairman Don Powell, the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding.
“This announcement is another example of the Administration’s continued
commitment to rebuilding this critical region.”
The downtown site must now undergo a mandatory environmental assessment,
along with another site under consideration located 4.5 miles away in
Jefferson Parish. At the conclusion of the review, a final decision on
the site and acquisition of the land will be concluded.
This year, VA expects to spend more than $1.2 billion in Louisiana for
the state’s 350,000 veterans. VA operates major medical centers in
Alexandria and Shreveport, eight community-based outpatient clinics,
Vets Centers in Kenner and Shreveport and a nursing home in Alexandria.
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Larry Scott --
