CSULB proposes parking, dorms

Plans to develop student parking and housing in the area surrounding the Patient's Garden, located at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center are still in the preliminary stages, according to VA and Cal State Long Beach officials.

However, some veterans at CSULB are strongly opposed to the proposal.
"I would like the VA and CSULB to take care of the veterans," said veteran Ray Renauld, an equipment technician with audio/visual services at CSULB. "They should use all their ethics and find a way to build around the garden rather than move it."

Although there are no definite plans for the lease, CSULB is looking to build either a dormitory or an additional parking lot on the land due to the increase in freshmen enrollment, said university President Robert Maxson.

In early February the VA issued a request for proposal, which invited prospective developers to lease the property surrounding the garden.

However, proposal plans are still in the early stages of consideration according to VA and CSULB officials.

The VA hopes to generate alternative revenues by leasing the area, according to Gilbert Hernandez, director of marketing and public affairs at the VA Medical Center. Still, "the concern of the veterans is a high priority," he said.

Many of the concerns about the garden being moved, relocated or destroyed are based on rumors and false conclusions, said Alice Martinez, sharing agreement resources coordinator at the VA Medical Center.

There is no timeline scheduled for planning. The VA is looking at possibly one year before the preliminary work can be done, she said.

"It's the VA's decision on what to do with their facility," said Maxson. "We would never ask the VA to make a decision that would affect veterans badly.  The VA Medical Center has been a wonderful neighbor to the university and we'll still be good neighbors whether they decide to give us the land or not."