Today we are taking the opportunity to honor veterans and thank them for their service to our country.
Veterans are also a vital part of HGA’s work as members of our team and stakeholders in many of our projects. To recognize Veterans Day this year, we’re highlighting HGA projects that honor veterans and support Veterans Affairs across the country.
Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum – Camp Ripley, Minnesota
Currently in design, HGA is proud to lead this once in a lifetime opportunity to create a landmark museum to honor the men and women who have served and sacrificed on behalf of the State of Minnesota. Through research, design, and technical skill, the team is creating a legacy project—one that transcends time and place and allows the compelling stories of our military organizations and veterans to be told with empathy and authenticity.
Minnesota Military Family Tribute – St. Paul, Minnesota
Unanimously selected from a 2010 design competition, HGA’s Minnesota Military Family Tribute honors Minnesota’s families who serve in the armed forces—past, present and future. Located on the Capitol Mall, it recognizes the sacrifices and the support family members provide to our military personnel through three signature elements:
- Family Walkway: A tree-lined allée that embraces each of the Veteran Memorials
- Story Stones: Stone monoliths representing the state’s 87 counties with a personal story engraved on each stone
- Gold Star Table: A gold star provides the foundation for a table that recognizes the supreme sacrifice of our Gold Star Families, creating a place for gathering, reflecting and reliving memories
Department of Veterans Affairs – Battle Creek Biomass Cogeneration Energy Center – Battle Creek, Michigan
Switching from fossil fuels to carbon neutral biomass allows the VA to diversify the fuel mix and cut GHG emissions by approximately 14,000 tons per year, reducing its carbon footprint by approximately 80% over current operations. By utilizing locally-sourced residual biomass, which is in plentiful supply in the region surrounding Battle Creek, Michigan, the VA campus has also reduced its dependence on fossil fuels, leveraging its operational spending locally in support of local industry and diverting debris from landfill.
Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital – Central Utility Plant Replacement – Hines, Illinois
The VA Hospital’s central boiler plant was rapidly approaching the end of its useful life and required a replacement that would improve efficiency and cut energy costs. HGA conducted a detailed campus energy analysis to determine existing plant steam production, established the Owners Project Requirement (OPR), and developed Set Log goals to design and implement the energy infrastructure upgrades. The energy plant, serving a 3.3 million square-foot campus, saves approximately $600,000 in annual energy costs. Other outcomes include reduced emissions, reduced risk of potential flooding, and improved maintenance operation.
Department of Veterans Affairs – James A. Haley Veterans Hospital Primary Care Annex, Outpatient Clinic – Tampa, Florida
HGA worked with the Tampa Veteran’s Administration to develop a new prototype clinic for other future VA Primary Care Outpatient Clinics. This facility provides primary care services for over 87,000 veterans. In addition, the clinic offers a comprehensive women’s center, radiology, mental health services and dental services. The goal was to create a state-of-the-art healing environment that is patient-centered and supportive.
Minnesota Medal of Honor Memorial – St. Paul, Minnesota
With the creation of the Minnesota Medal of Honor Memorial, Minnesota finally realized Cass Gilbert’s vision for a prominent memorial at the main entrance to the Capitol Mall, on direct axis with the State Capitol. The new memorial complements and enhances the understanding and intended significance of the Promise of Youth sculpture while providing a means to appropriately honor and thank our Medal of Honor recipients. Its central location anchors all of the other veteran’s memorials and tributes on the Mall while offering powerful views to the Capitol.
Other HGA projects that benefit veterans include a project for the State of Minnesota to renovate the Rosemount National Guard Armory, a project with the State of California Department of General Services to create a telecommunications system for the Yountville Veterans Home, and the design of an exhibit at the Pennsylvania Military Museum. HGA has also completed many projects with the Department of Veterans Affairs, including a boiler replacement for the VA in Murfreesboro/Alvin York, a biomass trigeneration energy center at the Togus Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Augusta, Maine, an ambulatory care addition at the VA in Iron Mountain, Michigan, imaging for St. Cloud VA Health Care System, a data center for the Martinsburg VA Medical Center in Martinsburg, West Virginia, a legionella prevention unit for Washington DC VA Health Care System, subject matter expert services for several GSA Veterans Affairs clinics, and updates to the Loma Linda Memorial Healthcare Center, including a dialysis treatment unit expansion, an air monitoring project, and an update to the psychiatry building.
Thanks to the many veterans who make HGA’s work possible.