07-98
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
OFFICE OF
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT
VA FACILITY:
PROJECT NO.:
PROJECT TITLE:
ASSESSED BY:
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Clinical Improvements Project proposes a number of additions. A new main entrance is
planned at the west end of building 2. A new 2-story clinic addition and canteen will
link buildings 1 and 2. Several smaller 3 and 4 story surgery additions are planned at
the east end of building 2. Facades will consist of exposed aggregate concrete panels,
glazing, and brick. Total new construction is approximately 129,000 GSF. Interior
renovation is planned in support of the proposed additions. 183 parking spaces are
planned to replace some of the parking lost to construction. (See Exhibit 1.)
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
Three strategies were evaluated in addition to the no-action alternative.
Strategy A involved the least amount of construction emphasizing continued use. This
scheme placed all functions except radiology and labs into existing square footage. Site
improvements were planned to the Spring St. entrance the west parking lot. This strategy
did not meet space criteria, did not provide new configuration for ambulatory care space,
and mixed outpatient psychiatric with other clinic services.
Strategy B (THE SELECTED ALTERNATIVE) linked main patient care buildings on four levels,
provided new dietetics and canteen construction and a new outpatient entrance in addition
to keeping the functional relationships outlined in A. This provides convenient access
for patients and visitors, locates ambulatory care in building 2, locates the ambulatory
care entrance near parking, separates inpatient and outpatient activities, and removes
outpatient psychiatry from acute care services and other ambulatory care additions.
Strategy C provided the greatest amount of new construction. Consolidation of functions
and replacement of facilities with significant deficiencies were planned. Planned new
construction included: ambulatory care addition, warehouse, SPD, atrium linking
buildings 1 and 2, canteen, and in-fill construction on 4 levels of building 1. Problems
were created with patient circulation, inpatients and outpatients were placed in building
1, the new clinic addition blocked supply docks, staging construction and renovation
posed difficulties, psychiatric and outpatient patients were mixed.
The no-action alternative would ignore numerous deficiencies. Recent additions of
cardiothoracic surgery, open heart surgery, and dramatic increases in outpatient visits
have put spiraling demands on an old, strained physical plant with patient care space
designed nearly forty years ago.
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