Rocky C
06-25-10, 03:54 PM
Project to Bring 2,000 Construction Jobs
NEW ORLEANS (June 25, 2010) - Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki
joined state and local officials for a ground-breaking ceremony for a
new 1.5 million-square-foot medical center for the Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA).
"This is a historic day for all of Louisiana," Secretary Shinseki said.
"With this ground breaking, we begin rebuilding a new legacy, a new
chapter in the history of this proud city."
VA's new full-service medical center campus in New Orleans is at a site
bounded by Canal Street, S. Galvez Street, Tulane Avenue and S.
Rocheblave Street.
"This facility will become a cornerstone in New Orleans' medical
research community, which will ensure the best care is available for our
Louisiana Veterans," Shinseki added. "VA is proud to bring this
state-of-the-art facility to New Orleans."
When opened in 2013, the facility will have 120 inpatient beds in
addition to 60 transitional care beds that provide rehabilitation,
hospice and palliative care and mental illness research. The hospital
will accommodate a half-million outpatient visits annually.
The new medical center will also be ideally suited to serve Veterans and
the citizens of southern Louisiana in the case of an emergency. Once
construction is complete, the new medical center will be able to operate
independently for seven days without resupply. All mission-critical
services will be 20 feet above ground level, and the facility will have
a heliport and boat dock for evacuations.
As part of VA's preservation efforts, the Pan-American Life Insurance
Company Building will be rehabilitated and integrated into the design of
the new medical center. VA will also conduct a structural appraisal of
the Dixie Brewery. VA is working with the city and state to ensure all
other historically significant buildings are either preserved and moved
from the site or that architecturally significant pieces will be
salvaged before any necessary demolition.
NEW ORLEANS (June 25, 2010) - Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki
joined state and local officials for a ground-breaking ceremony for a
new 1.5 million-square-foot medical center for the Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA).
"This is a historic day for all of Louisiana," Secretary Shinseki said.
"With this ground breaking, we begin rebuilding a new legacy, a new
chapter in the history of this proud city."
VA's new full-service medical center campus in New Orleans is at a site
bounded by Canal Street, S. Galvez Street, Tulane Avenue and S.
Rocheblave Street.
"This facility will become a cornerstone in New Orleans' medical
research community, which will ensure the best care is available for our
Louisiana Veterans," Shinseki added. "VA is proud to bring this
state-of-the-art facility to New Orleans."
When opened in 2013, the facility will have 120 inpatient beds in
addition to 60 transitional care beds that provide rehabilitation,
hospice and palliative care and mental illness research. The hospital
will accommodate a half-million outpatient visits annually.
The new medical center will also be ideally suited to serve Veterans and
the citizens of southern Louisiana in the case of an emergency. Once
construction is complete, the new medical center will be able to operate
independently for seven days without resupply. All mission-critical
services will be 20 feet above ground level, and the facility will have
a heliport and boat dock for evacuations.
As part of VA's preservation efforts, the Pan-American Life Insurance
Company Building will be rehabilitated and integrated into the design of
the new medical center. VA will also conduct a structural appraisal of
the Dixie Brewery. VA is working with the city and state to ensure all
other historically significant buildings are either preserved and moved
from the site or that architecturally significant pieces will be
salvaged before any necessary demolition.