VA’s 2013 budget request – Alameda Point commitment still alive

The VA’s 2013 budget request to Congress contains no funding request for Alameda Point.  The project was first funded in 2011 for design and planning.  Concerns over the proximity to a nesting site for an endangered bird, the California Least Tern, have led to delays in moving the project forward.  FY 2012 also did not receive a funding request. 

The VA, however, still remains committed to the project.

Below are excerpts from the VA’s Fiscal Year 2013 Congressional Budget Request:

Project Location

Alameda Point, CA

“This project received $17.33M in 2011 budget authority to begin project planning with a total estimated cost of $208.6M, of which $2M in non-construction cost for niche covers is requested in the Compensation and Pension appropriation.

“This project will construct an Outpatient Clinic (OPC), a Columbarium, administrative space for NCA and VBA and all associated parking on BRAC property at Alameda Point (former Naval Air Station) in Northern Alameda County.

“VA plans to pursue acquiring the land for this project through a no cost land transfer from the Department of Defense currently scheduled for December 2012.

“This new, state-of-the-art OPC and administrative space will be approximately 150,000 GSF and provide Primary Care, Specialty Care, Ancillary Services, Mental Health, Substance Abuse, and Ambulatory Surgery.”

VA/DoD [Department of Defense] Collaborative Projects

“The 2011 Budget Submission included a major project prospectus for a VHA Outpatient Clinic (OPC) to be constructed on a BRAC property at Alameda Point in Northern Alameda County.

“This project would also support an existing VA/DoD Joint Venture that will create space for a US Air Force satellite primary care clinic and a jointly staffed VA/DoD Joint Ambulatory Surgical Center.”