Some of the most meaningful work I’ve been part of has centered around serving those who have given so much for our country. Veterans make daily sacrifices that most of us can only imagine, and it is deeply rewarding to contribute to facilities that improve their lives long after their service. At Sain Associates, our team has had the privilege of working on multiple Veterans Affairs (VA) projects across the southeast, each with its own set of challenges, goals, and rewards.
Our work on these clinics extend beyond site design. We are part of a project team creating spaces that veterans will rely on for their physical health, mental well-being, and quality of life. Each project requires a balance of technical expertise and sensitivity to the mission behind the work. Here’s a look at several VA projects where we contributed our expertise.
North Jacksonville VA Outpatient Clinic and Domiciliary – Jacksonville, FL
In Jacksonville, we supported the design of a $65 million outpatient clinic and 30-bed domiciliary. This nearly 173,000-square-foot facility, along with the 29,000-square-foot residential treatment center, delivers primary care, radiology, optometry, audiology, pathology, and mental health services under one roof. The domiciliary offers rehabilitation and treatment programs for homeless veterans, giving them not only access to healthcare but also a place of safety.
Our team designed stormwater management systems, incorporated more than 1,150 parking spaces, and planned roadway and infrastructure improvements to handle the clinic’s significant traffic. These elements supported a design that is functional, accessible, and environmentally responsible.
Mobile Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic – Mobile, AL
Sain Associates provided civil site design for the Mobile Veterans Affairs health clinic. Developed on a 12-acre commercial lot, the 65,000-square-foot facility nearly doubled the size of the original VA clinic and expanded services to include outpatient surgery, radiology, gastroenterology, orthopedics, laboratory, pharmacy, dental care, and women’s health. The expanded facility now serves as a comprehensive healthcare hub for veterans in the region.
To meet the VA’s aggressive deadline, our team worked through a fast-track, design-build process where design and construction progressed simultaneously. Timely permitting was critical to maintaining progress, and we were able to secure all necessary approvals without delay. The result was a facility completed on time and within budget, ready to serve veterans with improved care options.
Chattanooga Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic – Chattanooga, TN
Chattanooga brought us one of the more technically challenging sites we’ve worked on, featuring an oddly shaped lot with steep terrain and nearby residential neighborhoods. These conditions made site design complex, as we had to carefully balance functional requirements with community sensitivity. Because of the site’s layout, we had to think creatively about grading, drainage, and building placement to ensure the clinic would be both efficient and accessible.
Completed in 2020, this single-story, 100,570-square-foot clinic provides a wide array of services: primary care, mental health, dental, cardiology, and imaging. It also includes specialized Patient-centered Acute Care Training (PACT) modules, which integrate specialty care, telehealth, and exam rooms in a way that improves efficiency and patient experience. Our role in the development of this clinic included civil design, traffic studies, and surveying.
Birmingham Veterans Affairs Mental Health Clinic – Birmingham, AL
We provided civil design and surveying services for the 60,000-square-foot Birmingham VA Mental Health Clinic. The clinic provides specialized services for approximately 25,000 veterans annually, including suicide prevention programs, PTSD treatment, peer support, and care for homeless veterans.
One of the greatest challenges was fitting the VA-required 450 parking spaces on a very constrained site. Our team resolved this by designing modular retaining walls, extending a sanitary sewer main along Montclair Road, and incorporating an underground detention system. These solutions ensured the site’s functionality while meeting city and VA requirements.
Reflection
Every Veterans Affair project we work on reminds me that engineering is not just about numbers, drawings, or regulations. It’s about people and creating spaces where veterans can walk in and receive the care they deserve.
Each one of these projects represents an opportunity to give back to the men and women who have already given so much. At Sain Associates, we are proud to deliver high-quality, functional, and accessible designs that reflect our respect for veterans. It’s a responsibility we take seriously, and one we are honored to continue.
If your organization is planning healthcare or community facilities that serve our veterans, we would be honored to partner with you. Reach out to us today to learn how we can help.