New Expanded VA Clinic Planned for Lakewood Ranch, says VA
Lakewood Ranch Boulevard Construction Decision
A new two-story VA clinic planned for Lakewood Ranch Boulevard will replace the existing Sarasota VA facility and offer a full range of medical services, according to an announcement from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs reported by WWSB. The project is currently in the design phase, with construction projected to begin in late 2027.
Key Clinical Takeaways:
- The replacement facility will occupy 109,688 square feet at 2390 Lakewood Ranch Boulevard in Sarasota.
- Planned services include mental health, audiology, optometry, dental, telehealth, and expanded primary care capacity under the Patient Aligned Care Team model.
- The clinic is projected to serve more than 120,000 veterans annually, with Cullinan JV LLC serving as the lessor.
VA Awards Lease for Lakewood Ranch Clinic
The VA recently awarded a lease for the construction of the replacement clinic, designating the site at 2390 Lakewood Ranch Boulevard. Cullinan JV LLC is the lessor for the project, according to the VA. The company operates as a joint venture between Cullinan Properties, Ltd., and Construction Managers, Inc., which is a Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business. Bay Pines VA Medical Center Director David J. VanMeter stated in a news release that the future clinic serves as a symbol of the agency’s commitment to provide veterans the care they deserve.
The facility will span 109,688 square feet. According to the VA, this expanded space will allow the Bay Pines VA to fully implement the Patient Aligned Care Team model, which emphasizes coordinated and patient-centered care. The agency projects that the completed clinic will serve more than 120,000 veterans annually across the region.
Services and Regional Impact
The replacement location will offer services that include mental health, audiology, optometry, dental, telehealth, and expanded capacity for primary care. For local veteran families who currently travel long distances for specialized appointments, the new facility addresses significant transit burdens. Mary Kirby, a Venice resident whose household often relies on regional VA travel up to eight times a year, stated to WWSB that a closer clinic could reduce the number of required trips to St. Petersburg. Rick Koenig, a retired VA employee with 30 years of military service, told WWSB that the new facility will offer more services than are currently available in Sarasota and Bradenton, comparing its projected scope to the facility in Cape Coral.