KJCT8.com - Grand Junction, Montrose - Weather, News, Sports | Upgrades, expansion for VA Hospital
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The Veterans Affairs Hospital in Grand Junction is getting some major upgrades. Hospital officials say this will help them better serve local veterans.
Work is already underway on a new 4500 square foot building. The $612 thousand dollar structure will be used as office space for surgeons and therapists.
Next spring, construction will begin on an $11 million addition to the hospital's 3rd floor. The project includes operating rooms, an intensive care unit and more.
The project has been awarded to a Fort Collins contractor. But, the V.A. says these project will still have a large local impact.
"It's very important to the V.A. Hospital to use local subcontractors when possible and also to use service disabled veteran's small businesses," Resident Engineer Derek Ulehla explains.
He adds that the projects are designed to be environmentally responsible.
"Most of the projects we are following now are lead certified. So, we are looking for the projects to use less energy, recycled materials, maybe even solar panels in the future."
Many of the current and upcoming projects have been in the works for several years. But, the start time for construction has been moved up because of money made available by the federal economic stimulus package.
"Our veteran's care has been a priority for our country and we've been fortunate we've gotten a good bit of money to improve our infrastructure," Ulehla says.
Upgrades are also being made to the Community Living Center and mental health facility on the hospital's campus.
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