With all the political wrangling and last-minute fundraising over the proposed veterans cemetery on the former Fort Ord, real accomplishments in redeveloping the old Army base can start to feel almost surreal.
But a new health clinic really broke ground on Veterans Day, and it also tells a success story for federal government cooperation: It's the second such clinic in the country that's a joint venture of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
This collaboration means the clinic is open both to active-duty military and to vets, designed to offer a continuity of care beyond one's service career.
"You cannot enter into the VA without first passing through the Department of Defense, so I am excited to see the two departments working together," U.S. Rep. Sam Farr, D-Carmel, said in a statement. "This new facility will be a model for how our country cares for individuals who serve our country throughout their entire life."
The 146,000 square-foot facility on 14 acres is being built by Indiana-based Hamstra Group. Officials expect the total cost to be about $80 million.
It's expected to open in 2016 and provide care to about 80,000 individuals. The clinic is in the Dunes at Monterey Bay shopping center, where REI and Target are located.