The long-awaited Veterans Administration outpatient clinic in Vero’s main medical corridor will not open this month as scheduled, but construction has finally begun a year after VA officials announced funding for the much-needed facility, now set to debut next spring.

The clinic was originally slated to open this past March, but in mid-February VA officials extended that time horizon to September. In June, the VA told Vero Beach 32963 that the first phase would still open to patients in September, followed by a second phase in December.

But demolition and building permits in the public record still awaited commencement in late July, and visits to the site at 777 37th St. often referred to as the “old Kurtell building” showed no evidence of progress throughout June and July.

Staff answering the phone at VA’s existing primary care clinic on 17th Street,  when asked in mid-August for an opening date of the new multi-specialty clinic, said: “We have no information.”

The Veterans Council of Indian River County had fielded many inquiries this summer from veterans anxious for the clinic opening as September approached, but no concrete opening updates had flowed down from the VA.

In mid-August Vero Beach 32963 enlisted the help of state Rep. Mike Haridopolos to get some answers. It took about a week, but the congressman’s staff found out that the phased opening dates had been pushed back to March and May 2026.

Haridopolos’ spokesman George Alderman said the VA explained the delay was caused by “complex architectural modifications required to meet the VA stringent design standards, along with extensive work required for final permitting.”

After being contacted by the congressman’s veterans advocate, the VA on Aug. 27 issued a press release stating: “Demolition of the space began in early August, marking the start of the construction phase and providing an opportunity to establish clear expectations for activation.

“To expedite the delivery of services, the facility will open in phases. Initial, first phase clinical operations are scheduled to begin in March 2026, with full activation anticipated by May 2026.”

“We want this clinic open and services available today, but are happy construction is now underway.  The phased opening will allow us to make services available sooner,” said Cory Price, executive director of West Palm Beach VA Healthcare Services.

“Once operational, the Indian River VA Clinic will expand access to veterans in the region, providing a modern and fully equipped facility offering such services as Audiology, Dental, Dermatology, Eye Care, Physical Therapy, Prosthetics, Pulmonary and Urology,” the VA announcement said.

The local Veterans Council was given the new opening dates last week as well after being told in mid-August that all permits were in place and “work will move into high gear,” according to Col. Carlos Halcomb, USAF (Ret.), chairman of the Veterans Council of Indian River County.

“The veterans in IRC are vastly interested and excited to have a medical facility close to them, driving to West Palm Beach can be a difficult endeavor for our elderly veterans even if we provide them with the transportation,” he said.  “We also hold monthly Veteran Town Hall Meetings at the County Buildings where Veterans Administration Staff, who come up from West Palm Beach, provide us with details on their progress with the new facility - so they get their information first hand, the Veterans Council in turn will reiterate their comments in our monthly report to veterans organizations.”

According to Phil Santomassi, owner of Coastal Bagels in the 777 building, local veterans flock to the site daily to locate the clinic, searching for glimmers of progress, and so they know where to go when it opens.

“They come here to check it out, they ask me about it all the time. The veterans seem very interested to know when it’s going to be open,” Santomassi said.

But the suites are scattered around the complex and not yet marked as future VA offices, so Santomassi often walks veterans over to point out the two, possibly three pods of suites where the clinic will operate.

“It’s going to be huge for us, and for the veterans here,” Santomassi said. “They are really looking forward to it opening.”

From the county building permits on file, it appears the VA will occupy a large block of offices in the A Wing of the 777 building nearest the entrance, the C Wing which formerly housed a large dialysis practice, and possibly a couple of suites in the B wing, all on the ground floor.

When asked if he thought the posting of some “coming soon” signs might be helpful, Halcomb said, “Those are great questions and we’ll relay them to WPBVAH staff. When they do their grand opening, I’m sure they will provide a ‘roadmap’ for the veterans and caregivers to use and if they don’t we’ll make sure one is developed.”

The clinic will not only bring needed services, but also high-paying full-time jobs with federal benefits. “The clinic will employ approximately 40 staff members,” said VA Public Affairs Officer Andrea Madrazzo.

The VA had posted listings on USAJobs.com seeking doctors of optometry, podiatry, non-invasive cardiology, pulmonology, dermatology and a chiropractor, plus dentists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners and pedorthist health technician for the Orthotic Laboratory.

The multi-specialty clinic is intended to complement the existing VA primary care clinic on 17th Street. A separate expenditure for major renovations of the primary care clinic was approved in the VA’s 2024 budget.