The Department of Veterans Affairs on June 8 selected the joint venture team of HOK, Walsh Group, and Core Companies, to assist in developing a new Master Plan for its West Los Angeles Campus.
With the announcement, the VA is on schedule to develop and release a new Master Plan by October 16, 2015. That deadline is reflected in a January 28, 2015 “Principles Agreement” that dedicates the West LA campus to serving Veterans in need and created a new partnership that vows to end homelessness among Veterans in the LA area.
The VA is spending nearly $1.5 million on the master plan, says Michi Riley, VA public affairs officer. Riley said that until the master plan is complete, it is unknown when the project might break ground or how much the VA will spend on the new development.
The West LA VA campus covers approximately 388 acres and the master plan will evaluate the entire property. Under the new plan the campus will be transformed into a vibrant community where "all veterans can receive healthcare, benefits, employment, and other supportive services which they deserve and to which they are entitled," said VA Senior Advisor Vincent Kane in a recent press release. “As we develop the details of that necessary goal through the Master Plan, the input we receive from all of our stakeholders and the community will be absolutely vital to charting our path forward."
The VA says the Master Plan will use the campus in a "Veteran-centric manner going forward," and will offer amenities such as permanent supportive housing for chronically homeless and aging veterans, state-of-the-art primary care, mental health, and addiction services.
Over the next three months through a series of focus groups and surveys, the VA says it will solicit feedback, comments and input from veteran, federal, state, and local stakeholders, veteran service organizations, faith-based and charitable organizations, and community partners, to gain perspectives and vital information that will inform the plan.
The West LA campus is located just west of UCLA college and provides a full range of medical needs to veterans throughout Los Angeles county.
