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VA Narrows Options To Modernize Montrose and Castle Point Facilities
Veterans in the Montrose and Castle Point areas are another step closer to receiving a major modernization of the facilities at the Montrose and Castle Point Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers. Maryann Musumeci, chair of the local advisory panel for the VA Hudson Valley Health Care System, announced on February 2, 2007 that the Department has narrowed its list of options for modernizing these campuses.
"VA is committed to providing Hudson Valley veterans with world-class facilities at these campuses" Musumeci said. "This decision represents another important step towards meeting that goal."
Musumeci said that four options will be explored for the Montrose campus. Three of these will seek the best location available on campus to construct new domiciliary and ambulatory care facilities. One of the options, however, will study only the construction of a new ambulatory facility.
Two Castle Point options will be studied. One option involves replacing all of the current buildings at the facility, and a second option that would authorize building only a new nursing home while renovating the other facilities. The Castle Point options would also provide new facilities for services that will be moved there from the Montrose campus.
Musumeci also said the Department will examine a full range of potential reuses for unused and vacated land on both campuses that will provide benefits to veterans such as senior housing.
A third meeting of the Local Advisory Panel will be held in March to provide recommendations and advice regarding the further study of these options. A fourth meeting of the panel will be held to review the contractor's evaluation of the options before submitting them to the Secretary.
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