The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and LCOR, a national real estate firm, signed a master development agreement to expand the Durham, NC, Veterans Affairs Medical Center while creating a new “City of Medicine Center” mixed-use campus on Veterans Affairs hospital property. “The agreement we’ve signed today is significant,” said Daniel F. Hoffmann, director of the VA Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network. “This is the largest new prototype privatization project undertaken by VA to date. The project will replace, expand and modernize VA medical and research facilities on the Durham VA Medical Center campus.” As result of the agreement, a partnership between Veterans Affairs and the private sector, health care services at the facility will be expanded, and over 1,700 jobs will be created. Under the terms of the agreement, LCOR will construct a 15,000-square-foot clinic within the existing hospital, and up to 40,000 square feet of research and lab space. In addition, LCOR will expand the VA facility’s parking capacity by 100 spaces to 1,351 spaces. “I am very pleased that VA has signed this agreement,” remarked Michael B. Phaup, Durham VA Medical Center Director. “It is critical that we expand health care services, especially as our veteran population continues to age.” The new City of Medicine Center (a $160 million development project) will include private-sector medical office buildings, commercial and educational administrative office space, a retail center and a residential facility. Commenting on the development agreement signing, Durham Mayor William V. ‘Bill’ Bell said, “Congratulations to VA and LCOR. The partnership they’ve forged with each other and with our city is a model for public-private development nationwide. As a result, our veterans may be better served, and the community could benefit from additional services, revenues and jobs.”
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