Construction issues cause delays for Lake Nona VA Medical Center

Construction issues cause delays for VA Medical Center
Facility slated to open in late 2013
ORLANDO, Fla.

WESH news

Construction delays and design changes have veterans in central Florida waiting on a much-anticipated new Orlando Veterans Administration Medical Center. The VA has promised more scrutiny of the hospital's contractor, but the contractor said it's the VA's design changes that are delaying completion of the project.

Supporters of the project say it is greatly needed because of the growing veteran population in central Florida. When completed, the 300-bed facility and support services will provide care for nearly 500,000 vets who live in central Florida.

The microscope was on contractor Brasfield and Gorrie on Monday.

A U.S. House Subcommittee on Veterans’ Affairs talked to representatives of Brasfield and Gorrie about the future of the new Orlando VA Medical Center in Medical City near Lake Nona. The 65-acre campus was set to open in October, but it could be the end of 2013 before construction is completed.

"They are either going to terminate us, or they're going to work with us," said Jim Gorrie, president and CEO of Brasfield and Gorrie. "You can't just continue down the path we're going."

If construction is completed by the end of 2013, it will be early 2014 before patients needing dialysis or clinic services are seen. Surgeries and overnight stays will be much later, officials said.
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