Published on December 15, 2025
Alameda and Oakland Officials Join Veterans To Demand VA Reverse Plan to Cancel Vital Bay Area Clinic and Cemetery
Local leaders and Congressional Delegation call VA’s decision unacceptable and irresponsible, citing massive impact on Bay Area Veterans’ health and welfare
This morning, Bay Area veterans and local elected officials held a press conference to denounce the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) announcement that it intends to terminate plans to build a VA health care facility and columbarium at Alameda Point, citing severe consequences that would result.
The announcement comes after a decade-long wait for the project, which was intended to provide vital physical and mental health care services, and a final resting place closer to home for tens of thousands of Bay Area veterans.
Last week, a formal letter of concern signed by Congresswomen Lateefah Simon and Nancy Pelosi, and U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, was sent to VA Secretary Douglas Collins demanding substantiation for the announced decision. Today’s speakers called the decision unacceptable and irresponsible and demanded that the Department of Veterans Affairs reverse its decision.
Omar Farmer, Navy Veteran and Alameda County Veterans Affairs Commissioner: “Defunding of the Alameda Point project is a blatant attack on veterans – a continuation of the mass firings and cuts at the VA. Nationwide, 17 veterans die by suicide each day. These vets need timely access to healthcare the most, and it is imperative that this project moves forward.”
Joe LoParo, US Marine Corps Veteran and Alameda County Veterans Affairs Commissioner: “Every national burial site in the Bay Area is full -- the closest site is Dixon National Cemetery in Sacramento. The sudden decision to halt them without clear explanation, without community consultation, and without presenting alternative plans is nothing short of a breach of trust. Veterans kept their promises to this country. We expect the country to keep their promises to veterans.”
Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee: “I know first-hand the sacrifices our veterans and their families have made for this country, and we owe them more than broken promises. This project was about closing gaps for veterans who were traveling too far for basic health services and for families who had no nearby options to honor their loved ones.”
Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12): In August, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) canceled the Alameda Point health care facility and columbarium without warning. No notice to the City of Alameda, no extensive reasoning or clear communication to Congress. Last week, my office led with Senators Padilla, Schiff and Speaker Emerita Pelosi in demanding answers directly from the VA Secretary and calling for the reversal of this cancellation. We will not let this stand. 28,000 veterans live in my district. They deserve quality health care close to home and their families deserve a place to honor their loved ones when they pass.”
Stefan Elgstrand, Press Secretary for California State Senator Jesse Arreguin: “California is home to 1.8 million Veterans, with 270,000 in the Bay Area. The State of California will never turn its backs on those who have selflessly given so much to us. That is why it is so painful to see the federal administration, who claims to be for America first, abandon those who have placed America first.”
Haley Hester, District Director for California State Assemblymember Mia Bonta: “Congress approved nearly $400 million for this project, environmental reviews were completed, engineering challenges were identified and addressed, and the work was underway. Then, without notice, without consultation from the City of Alameda, and without a single conversation with our veterans, this promised clinic had the plug pulled on it.”
Alameda Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft: “We are not turning our backs on you. You didn’t turn your backs on this country. We stand up, we fight back, and that’s what we are going to do. This is not a partisan issue. This is about the health and well-being of our veterans, and the dignity that we pay to those who take their last breaths and want to be buried in a VA Cemetery or Columbarium.”
Project DetailsIn 2014, 624 acres of the former Naval Air Station was transferred from the Navy to the VA for a new “One VA” health care clinic and columbarium. Over the last decade, Congress approved $395 million to build a 158,000 square-foot outpatient Health Care Center and co-located Veterans Benefits Service Center and Columbarium, with the capacity to serve veterans and their families for the next 100 years or more. The remaining land was to remain undeveloped to support the colony of endangered California Least Terns and other bird species.
Public Works Department