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Ribbon-cutting marks completion of VA clinic move to federal building

By Alison Kohler

Five people stand behind a ribbon
Associate Director for Operations Heath Streck, Iowa City VA Health Care System, U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack of Iowa, GSA Heartland Region Special Advisor Judy Dungan, Iowa City VA Health Center System Director Judith Johnson-Mekota, and Iowa City Mayor Jim Throgmorton pose for a photo just before cutting the ribbon to celebrate completion of construction on the new VA community clinic within GSA’s Iowa City Federal Building. Photo courtesy of Iowa City VA Health Care System.

IOWA CITY, Iowa — A ribbon-cutting ceremony Oct. 19 marked completion of a build-out project to open an Iowa City Veterans Health Administration community clinic in the U.S. General Services Administration’s Iowa City Federal Building.

“This project has been a major undertaking, and our great partnership with GSA was critical to getting to where we are today,” said Iowa City VA Health Care System Director Judith Johnson-Mekota. 

GSA managed the build-out of about 30,000 usable square feet the U.S. Postal Service formerly occupied, according to its mission to deliver value and savings in real estate, acquisition, technology and other mission-support services across government.

“We take great pride in our mission because it allows our customers to focus on their mission, which for the VA is to honor America’s veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being,” said GSA Heartland Region Senior Advisor Judy Dungan.

The clinic employs 150 professionals who deliver services to veterans, including dental care, physical therapy and rehabilitation, prosthetics, compensation and pension evaluation, laboratory and administration.

“This was the first project in the Heartland Region to make use of consolidation funding [PDF - 328 KB]. I know the project management team worked through a unique situation as efficiently and effectively as possible,” Dungan said.

Several distinguished guests attended the ceremony and participated in the ribbon-cutting, including U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack of Iowa, Johnson-Mekota and Iowa City Mayor Jim Throgmorton.

The nearly $10.5 million build-out project began in 2016 and was completed in October 2018.

“One of GSA’s strategic goals is to make smart asset management decisions with our partners while keeping an eye toward responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars and benefiting economic development within the local community,” Dungan said. “This project has achieved just that by making practical use of vacant space within a GSA-owned building and saving significant dollars for taxpayers when compared to the potential cost for a custom build-out in a commercially leased structure.”

Seven GSA employees pose for a photo standing with U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack of Iowa
GSA employees involved in the build-out project of the Iowa City VA community clinic pose for a photo Oct. 19 with U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack of Iowa (right) at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Pictured from left to right are: Jeff Meyer, project manager, Judy Dungan, special advisor, Office of the Regional Administrator, John Topi, director, Design and Construction Division, Diane Strawn, director, Iowa Service Center, Brad Teggatz, senior building management specialist, Stewart Gunnerson and Chan Cavanh, building management specialists.

 

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Last updated: Jan 30, 2024
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