Veterans parade.JPG

The nation's largest Memorial Day event, the 2016 National Memorial Day parade, is set for Monday (May 30.) (Contributed photo/American Veterans Center)

((Contributed photo/American Veterans Center))

After years of broken promises and paralyzing bureaucracy inside the department of Veterans Affairs, it was announced Wednesday that a new VA clinic will be built in Mobile, helping to serve Southwest Alabama's more than 50,000 veterans.

The announcement ends years of speculation surrounding the region's VA clinic, although questions remain on when the new clinic will be delivered and at what cost.

"Since being elected to Congress, I have repeatedly called on the VA to move forward with this project," said Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL) in a press release Wednesday. "It is a shame the process took as long as it did, but the new facility will be able to better serve those who have given so much to our country. I will continue to provide diligent oversight throughout the construction process to ensure the project remains on schedule."

The VA currently leases around 45,000 square feet of space on two floors at the University of South Alabama, costing the agency around $58,000 a month. That rent is sent to increase to $83,000 per month by October and $222,000 by January, according to a USA official. The VA had originally planned to vacate the space before the rent was increased, but is now attempting to negotiate a new lease while a new facility is decided on.

One possibility that was offered to the VA last year was the old Infirmary West hospital on Knollwood Drive at Grelot Road. Local commercial real estate broker John Toomey III had tried repeatedly to convince the VA to make use of the facility, offering 100,000 square feet over 20 years for $1.6 million a year. However, the building was recently torn down.



It's not yet known where the new facility will be.

Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson also welcomed the development, noting in a press release Wednesday that a new VA facility in the city was "long overdue."

"There are thousands of veterans living in Mobile who have served their country, and they deserve a world class facility that serves them," added Stimpson. "To the veterans living in Mobile, my hope is that this new facility will give you the quality care you need and deserve."