U.S. General Services Administration
GSA joins partners for veterans clinic virtual ribbon-cutting
By Alison Kohler
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — As if a global pandemic wasn’t enough to complicate the lease and build-out of a community-based outpatient clinic for veterans, a freak storm with wind and rain matching the force of a hurricane hit Cedar Rapids hard in August.
Nevertheless, GSA, the Veterans Health Administration and other partners were able to celebrate the on-time grand opening of the clinic Sept. 10.
“We are grateful for the steadfast commitment of the entire project team throughout such challenging circumstances,” said GSA Lease Contracting Officer Traun Roberts, who joined Chuck Grassley, U.S. Senator for Iowa, and 200 other spectators virtually on a live video stream of the ribbon-cutting ceremony and tour of the clinic.
“Veterans in Cedar Rapids and the surrounding area will be able to receive more services closer to home and not have to travel as far, which is a very important part of providing this world-class care and services that veterans have earned,” Grassley said. “This facility is a constant reminder that we haven’t forgotten those who have fought to save our freedoms and liberties.”
GSA signed a 20-year lease with a total contract value of $10 million. Then GSA managed the $3.5 million project to build out the 28,000 usable square feet of space.
The lease contract also included 6 months of free rent to the government, which saves $250,000 of American taxpayer funds.
“One of GSA’s strategic goals is to make smart asset management decisions with our partners while keeping an eye toward responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars and benefiting economic development within the local community,” Roberts said. “This project has achieved just that by making practical use of vacant space and infusing millions of dollars into the local economy.”
"A project of this scale is a massive undertaking with GSA and with our engineering folks, and so I have to really give them a huge shout-out,” said Director Judith Johnson-Mekota, Iowa City VA Health Care System. “Thank you for all of the work they’ve done to coordinate this clinic and build such a wonderful building for us.”
After the dignitaries delivered remarks and cut the ribbon, the VA streamed a live tour of the clinic highlighting the expanded services for veterans on-site in Cedar Rapids. The new clinic has specialty care, such as podiatry, audiology and radiology, as well as expanded access to telehealth, mental health and primary care.
“GSA takes great pride in our mission, because it allows our customers to focus on their mission, which for the VA is to honor America’s veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being,” Roberts said. “Facilities like this one are critical to the VA’s mission, as they expand access for the veterans’ community to the VA’s much-needed services.”
Cedar Rapids Mayor Brad Hart said the exceptional facility will have a positive impact on the community for years to come.
“We’re ready to care for veterans again, and make sure we can provide that care to them in a safe and effective manner,” Johnson-Mekota said. “We’ll continue to provide the highest level of quality care and services to our veterans that they deserve.”