Chumuckla, Fl (August 22, 2007) - Congressman Jeff Miller (R-Fl-01) today criticized the preferred downtown site selection made by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs for reconstruction of a VA Medical Center in New Orleans. The preferred site is located on 34 acres of land bounded by South Rocheblave Street to the north, South Galvez Street to the south, Tulane Avenue to the west, and Canal Street to the east, an area that was flooded after Hurricane Katrina.
“This is an irresponsible use of taxpayer dollars,” Miller stated. “I’ve visited both sites and the Jefferson Parrish site is out of the flood plain and still serves the veterans population of Southern Louisiana. It makes no sense to put this facility back in a flood plain when a suitable alternative is available.”
Miller contends that veterans in Louisiana can be better served by a facility elsewhere in Louisiana, specifically another site under consideration by the VA located 4.5 miles away in Jefferson Parish.
Cost projections for the large facility have nearly doubled since October of 2006 to $1.2 Billion. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development also acknowledges that the state’s proposal has a cost per bed well above national average.
“Build it on high ground, above sea level, and in a place that will be secure for hospitalized veterans during another Katrina,” Miller added. “Putting a billion-dollar facility right back into a flood-prone basin is a disservice to taxpayers and a crime against veterans who deserve better.”
The state of Louisiana has been pushing a plan to get the VA to build a massive teaching hospital that can serve as a hub for medical education and academic research and serve as an economic driver for downtown New Orleans.
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