WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has awarded a $26.9 million contract to design and build a free-standing spinal cord injury center at the Milwaukee VA Medical Center.

The contract was awarded to the C3T Construction Company of Milwaukee, a service-disabled, Veteran-owned small business.  The 67,000-square-foot building will have a connecting tunnel, providing access to the hospital and replace a smaller unit in the main hospital building.  Design and construction of the center will overlap and the project is expected to be finished in less than two years.  

The two-story structure, like the original unit, will provide 38 beds and outpatient services.  The additional space is designed to improve accessibility, privacy and independence for patients; improve efficiency of staff; and increase space for physical and recreational therapy, a specialty clinic, a kitchen and administration. 

Funding for the project was appropriated in fiscal year 2007.  

VA is a leader in research related to spinal cord injury care and rehabilitation, providing a lifelong continuum of services for injured veterans of all ages.  VA’s expertise in this area ranges from emergency care and surgical stabilization to rehabilitation, preventive care and long-term care. 

About 42,000 Americans with serious spinal cord injuries or disorders are Veterans eligible for medical care and other benefits from VA.  The department provided a full range of care to nearly 26,000 Veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders in 2008 and specialty care to about 13,000 of these Veterans.  

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Reporters and media outlets with questions or comments should contact the Office of Media Relations at vapublicaffairs@va.gov

Veterans with questions about their health care and benefits (including GI Bill). Questions, updates and documents can be submitted online.

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