(WHAS11) -- There was a major surprise Wednesday at a public hearing on the controversial location for a new VA hospital in Louisville. The location off Brownsboro Road and the Watterson got some heavyweight endorsement from the nation’s latest Medal of Honor recipient Dakota Meyer.
“I understand it’s going to inconvenience your life in some way,” Meyer said addressing the crowd. “It wasn’t an inconvenience to us and our families when we went out and fought for you to be free in this country.”
Meyer threw his support behind the Brownsboro location and encouraged residents to do the same.
“We act like we’re putting in a Wal-Mart or Target here. This is a VA hospital. It should be a treasure,” Meyer told WHAS11 News.
According to the VA, the site of Brownsboro is the best spot available for the hospital, but neighbors fear it will bring a traffic nightmare. Even some veterans in attendance said they don’t think it’s the right place.
“The bottom line is, something closer to downtown makes sense,” one young veteran who addressed the crowd said.
Some people who live near the site stress the controversy has nothing to do with the veterans, but that it’s really about where the hospital fits best. Kara Estes lives right beside the site. She voiced her concerns about traffic and even the socio-economic impacts on the people who live nearby. She told WHAS11 she’s not giving up on her fight.
“I’m going to write all the councilmen, congressmen and the VA Hospital and submit it all in writing,” Estes said.
Meyer is also encouraging people to speak out, especially veterans.
“I heard them talk about Jefferson County, it’s not just about Jefferson County,” Meyer said. “It’s about the whole state. If this is a place you come to for your hospital, you should start speaking up about it.”
Public comment is being accepted through April 29. You can write directly to the VA, here’s the address:
Robley Rex VA Medical Center
Director’s Office
Attn: draft PEA Study
800 Zorn Avenue
Louisville, KY 40206
You can also call 502-287-5500.
