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VA selects Silverdale site for new veterans clinic

SILVERDALE — The site chosen for a new Kitsap veterans outpatient clinic couldn’t be more centrally located. At 9177 Ridgetop Boulevard, it’s at the county’s geographic and commercial hub.

The site was chosen from 10 proposals, VA Puget Sound announced in a news release Friday afternoon. Urban City Brew drive-thru sits on the 3-acre property, which is bordered on the west by a Sherwin-Williams paint store and on the east by Clear Creek.

Veterans Plaza LLC intends to erect a single-story building on the grounds. The VA clinic would occupy about 14,000 square feet and a second tenant about 1,300 square feet, said company partner Mike Brown.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for us and the VA,” Brown said. “I think it’s a good location. It fit the criteria well. The VA is in serious need of a new location for better service for the veterans. The central location and services they’ll be able to offer there will be great for them.”

Brown should know about the existing facility. He and two partners own the building at 925 Adele Ave. It’s only 6,000 square feet, reached capacity long ago and has an extensive waiting list. Those on the outside looking in can travel to VA hospitals in Seattle or Tacoma for their care or visit private doctors through the Choice program.

The Veterans Plaza LLC proposal was selected based on a highly competitive acquisition process, according to the VA.

“They represent the best value to the VA and the patients it serves,” stated a news release.

“I’m just excited because this news is breaking after all these years,” said Kitsap County Commissioner Ed Wolfe. “I just want it to be on a bus line and for veterans to have something new and to get the services they deserve instead of driving to Lakewood or Seattle. I’m excited.”

Brown is the president of FPH Construction and a principal in Sound West Group, both based in Bremerton. Partners in Veterans Plaza LLC are Pankaj and Laurie Sharma of Silverdale. There will be others, Brown said.

The design will be by Bremerton firm Rice Fergus Miller.

A new veterans clinic has been years in the works. It appeared to be finally becoming a reality when a site was chosen in October 2015 on Kitsap Way. A developer began renovating a former Rite Aid building in summer 2016. Work was stopped and the lease terminated in January when the VA said the building didn’t meet its seismic requirements.

“A new community-based outpatient clinic is long overdue for veterans in Kitsap County,” said U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor. “If you serve your country, we should have your back. That’s the ethic of this community. We’ve seen too many setbacks on this. Over the past year, I’ve kept on the VA to move this forward. I’ll keep doing that until the doors open and veterans are getting the care they’ve earned.”