WASHINGTON – Continuing its commitment to provide Iowa veterans with world-class health care, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today announced the award of a $24 million contract for the design and construction of an extended-care facility in Des Moines. VA awarded the contract to Davenport-based Russell Construction Company.
“With this expansion of long-term care capability at Des Moines, along with the special medical programs the medical center already offers, more Iowa veterans will benefit from VA’s world-class health care,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson.
The new building will have three stories, a partial basement and a tunnel connecting it to an existing building. Construction is expected to be completed in 2009.
Marking the consolidation of inpatient care for veterans at Des Moines, the new building will house 140 nursing care beds and clinic space for outpatient rehabilitation medicine. The 80,000-square-foot structure will provide the long-term care now offered at the Knoxville VA Medical Center, which will become an outpatient clinic when the new facility is completed.
VA expects to spend nearly $700 million this year in Iowa to provide health care, disability compensation and other benefits for the state’s 255,000 veterans. VA operates major medical centers in Des Moines and Iowa City, seven outpatient clinics, plus VetCenters, nursing homes, domiciliaries and a national cemetery in Keokuk.
