August Construction Update

The Western Blind Rehabilitation Center (WBRC) continues to watch the construction progress of B-500, the highly anticipated new home of the Polytrauma and Blind Rehabilitation services on the Palo Alto VAPAHCS Campus.  Some of the building's features will include private bedrooms and bathrooms for inpatients, 3-shared courtyards, a greenhouse, golf-putting green, bocce ball court, and half basketball court. 

Photo: B-500 as seen from front walkway area.

At 174,000 square feet, this new facility will be the largest consolidated rehabilitation center in the VA nationwide.  It will include 24 beds for the polytrauma program, 32 beds for the blind rehabilitation program, and 12 beds for the polytrauma transitional rehabilitation program.  Currently construction crews are nearing completion of both the interior and exterior of the building, with much of the landscaping installed.

Photo: Front Entrance of B-500 with landscaping and lighting.

The center will also have an outpatient physical therapy and occupational therapy clinic, and outpatient physical medicine and rehabilitation clinic, and clinical programs for Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom Veterans.  Construction is anticipated to be 100% complete shortly, with the building becoming operational sometime next year.


CLICK HERE to view additional construction pictures


CLICK HERE for construction updates


CLICK HERE to read the project's news release

December Construction Update

Photo: The front of B500 as seen from B101-100's breezway

Construction crews of the new Polytrauma and Blind Rehabilitation Center (B-500) are nearing completion of the exterior of the building. The new center will overlap the original WBRC footprint on the Palo Alto VAPAHCS campus. This will be the VA's first and only Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center to be combined with a Blind Rehabilitation Center.

Photo: The front entry area of B500 as seen from ground level

At 174,000 square feet, this new facility is the largest consolidated rehabilitation center in the VA and will include 24 beds for the polytruama program, 32 beds for the blind rehabilitation program, and 12 beds for the polytruama transitional rehabilitation program. The center will also have an outpatient physical therapy/occupational therapy clinic, an outpatient physical medicine and rehabilitation clinic, and clinical programs for Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom Veterans.

Image: Rendering of B500 front entry area when completed

Construction is anticipated to complete in Summer of 2015 with the building becoming operational in Winter of 2015.

CLICK HERE to view additional construction pictures

CLICK HERE for construction updates

CLICK HERE to read the project's news release

May Construction Update

 

Photo: Siding installed along one side of B-500.

Construction crews of the new Polytrauma and Blind Rehabilitation Center (B-500) continue the installation of the windows and the siding panels on the exterior of the building. The new center will overlap the original WBRC footprint on the Palo Alto VAPAHCS campus. This will be the VA's first and only Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center to be combined with a Blind Rehabilitation Center.

 

Photo: Workers install the windows in B-500.

At 174,000 square feet, this new facility is the largest consolidated rehabilitation center in the VA and will include 24 beds for the polytrauma program, 32 beds for the blind rehabilitation program, and 12 beds for the polytrauma transitional rehabilitation program. The center will also have an outpatient physical therapy/occupational therapy clinic, an outpatient physical medicine and rehabilitation clinic, and clinical programs for Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom Veterans.
 

Photo: The structural support is installed for the glass panels which will enclose the atrium

Construction is anticipated to complete in late 2014 with the building becoming operational in Spring of 2015.

CLICK HERE to view additional construction pictures

CLICK HERE for construction updates

CLICK HERE to read the project's news release

November Construction Update for New Building

Photo: The front of B-500 begins to get siding installed (right)

Image: Rendering of the front of B-500 when completed

Construction crews of the new Polytrauma and Blind Rehabilitation Center (B-500) are beginning to install the insulation on the exterior of the building.  The new center will overlap the original WBRC footprint on the Palo Alto VAPAHCS campus.  This will be the VA's first and only Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center to be combined with a Blind Rehabilitation Center. 

Photo: B-500 lobby under construction with staircase installed

Image: Rendering of B-500 lobby from 2nd level (staircase landing at right)

At 174,000 square feet, this new facility is the largest consolidated rehabilitation center in the VA and will include 24 beds for the polytrauma program, 32 beds for the blind rehabilitation program, and 12 beds for the polytrauma transitional rehabilitation program.  The center will also have an outpatient physical therapy/occupational therapy clinic, an outpatient physical medicine and rehabilitation clinic, and clinical programs for Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom Veterans.

Construction is anticipated to complete in late 2014 with the building becoming operational in January 2015. 

CLICK HERE to view additional construction pictures

CLICK HERE for construction updates

CLICK HERE to read the project's news release

New Blind Center Continues to Take Shape

Photo: The New Polytrauma and Blind Rehab. Center continues

Construction crews of the new Polytrauma and Blind Rehabilitation Center continue to work hard towards completion of the new building.  The new center will overlap the original WBRC footprint on the Palo Alto VAPAHCS campus.  This will be the VA's first and only Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center to be combined with a Blind Rehabilitation Center. 

Photo: The studs of the 2nd & 3rd floor walls are visible

At 174,000 square feet, this new facility is the largest consolidated rehabilitation center in the VA.  The Rehabilitation Center includes 24 beds for the polytrauma program, 32 beds for the blind rehabilitation program, and 12 beds for the polytrauma transitional rehabilitation program. It will also house inpatient and outpatient services such as Physical Medicine Rehab (PM&R), Physical Therapy, and Occupational Therapy.

Photo: A view down one of the WBRC's new hallways

Construction is anticipated to complete in late 2014 with the building becoming operational in January 2015.  
 
CLICK HERE to view additional construction pictures

CLICK HERE for construction updates

CLICK HERE to read the project's news release

Rehabilitation Center "Topping Out" Ceremony set for March 11th

Image: "Topping Out" Invitation [LINK]

The new 174,000-sq-ft Rehabilitation Center is on its way to completion, and we will be celebrating the "topping out" of this much-needed building, which will consolidate outpatient and inpatient programs at the Palo Alto Division, including Polytrauma, Blind Rehabilitation, Physical Medicine Rehab (PM&R), Physical and Occupational Therapy.

In building construction, “topping out” is a ceremony held when the last beam is placed at the top of a building or when the actual structure is complete. Join us for the topping out ceremony on March 11 at 1pm, right behind the new Mental Health Center.  Find more information on the Construction website.  

CLICK HERE for a link to the Construction Website

If you have any questions about the ceremony, please send an e-mail to: VAPaloAltoPublicAffairs@va.gov 

Rehabilitation Center Starts to Take Shape

Photo: A view of the structural beam 3 story wing of the new Rehabilitation Center

Construction crews of the new Polytrauma and Blind Rehabilitation Center are well on their way to completing installation of the structural beam placement for the new building.  The new center will overlap the original WBRC footprint on the Palo Alto VAPAHCS campus.  This will be the VA's first and only Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center to be combined with a Blind Rehabilitation Center. 
 

Photo: A construction worker waits as 5 structural beams are lifted by a crane

At 174,000 square feet, this new facility is the largest consolidated rehabilitation center in the VA.  The Rehabilitation Center includes 24 beds for the polytrauma program, 32 beds for the blind rehabilitation program, and 12 beds for the polytrauma transitional rehabilitation program.

Photo: A construction worker welds a beam into place

The last beam is expected to be placed on March 11th, 2013 during a "Topping Out" Ceremony at 1 PM.  In building construction, “topping out” is a ceremony held when the last beam is placed at the top of a building or when the actual structure is complete. 

Photo: The sun shines from behind the 3 story structure

Construction is anticipated to complete in late 2014 with the building becoming operational in January 2015.  

CLICK HERE to learn more about the "Topping Out" Ceremony
 
CLICK HERE to view additional construction pictures

CLICK HERE for construction updates

CLICK HERE to read the project's news release