New VA health center in Charlotte to be one of biggest in country

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Channel 9 crews got a look at the new Department of Veterans Affairs health care center in southwest Charlotte.

The new facility is being built on Tyvola Road. Crews started construction last year.

The new center is set to open next year. Once in opens, it will be one of the largest VA health centers in the country, which will mean faster service for area veterans.

It is four times larger than the current outpatient clinic in University City. The rooms for vets will have two doors: one for them, and the other connects to a doctors and physicians area.

That way, the vets can stay put. The VA also added services to every floor.

“We have a blood draw on every floor, so the veteran doesn't have to go down to the lab,” Kenneth Mortimer, director of the Charlotte VA, said.

Officials hired a public relations firm to talk with veterans, and parking was a serious issue. Channel 9 checked the current facility in north Charlotte and found the street lined with cars. The new site will have 1,900 parking spaces.

There will also be kiosks at the airport where veterans can insert their VA identification card, and their medical team will be alerted to their arrival in Charlotte.

“(It’s) just a better service, overall, for the guys,” said veteran Anthony Carrothers.

Even though veterans can't walk through the doors now, they can enroll.

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