Inauguration of a new and modern Veterans Clinic in Arecibo b60877fc-cd26-ee3b-25d3-59d8269c1741.jpg December 4, 2021 Press Release Arecibo, Puerto Rico- The resident commissioner, Jenniffer González Colón, celebrated with the veterans of the northern part of the island the inauguration of a new and modern clinic in Arecibo, the product of a joint effort with the congresswoman and the Department of Veterans ( VA) that included bringing two congressional delegations, public hearings, among other initiatives. "The veterans' clinic that was in Arecibo was destroyed by Hurricane Maria and because of that, and so that the island's veterans' claims could be heard, I brought the Veterans Committee of the House of Representatives, of which I was a part, so that my colleagues witnessed how imperative it was to rebuild a health center as veterans were cared for in tents. The local VA administration put its efforts so that, despite the circumstances, the best possible service could be provided. Twice I was on the island with the Veterans Committee, we advocated hearings, through letters, we held meetings to identify funds and finally the project started and today, with delays due to the pandemic, I can proudly celebrate with our heroes the opening of this clinic that is essential for our veterans to maintain adequate access to VA medical services, especially those who live outside the metropolitan area,” said the commissioner. At the inauguration were Carlos Escobar, director of VA Caribbean, Dr. George Vélez, deputy director of VA Caribbean, as well as veterans and veterans' organizations. The mayors of Arecibo, Carlos 'Tito' Ramírez Irizarry, of Camuy Gabriel Hernández and of Utuado Jorgito Perez Heredia; representatives Gabriel Rodríguez Aguiló and José “Memo” González; and Senator Elizabeth Rosa Vélez. Thanks to a total investment over 20 years of $15,171,890, more than 3,500 veterans in the northern zone will have a new community outpatient clinic in Arecibo. After the steps taken as a result of the impact of Hurricane María, on May 1, 2019, a replacement lease was granted to the lessor: Arecibo PRD, Inc. to the construction company Construye, LLC. The new clinic is located at PR-2 Km 78.0, Bo. Hato Baja, Arecibo, PR 00613. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all construction activities stopped on March 16, 2020; and resumed on May 26, 2020 following the protocols established by the Government of Puerto Rico. Improvement costs for tenants are $3,252,269. The temporary clinic that was established after Hurricane Maria destroyed the original was 7,344 net usable square feet. The new clinic is much larger at 19,450 square feet, almost 12,000 feet more than before. Under the administration of President Trump, the guidelines for outpatient clinics or CBOCs like this one were revised where it was ordered that when they are remodeled or rebuilt they must comply with%