PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Veterans in Pittsburgh have a new place to go for patient care.

A formal dedication ceremony was held Wednesday for the completion of the Consolidation Building on Oakland’s University Drive campus.

The building has been nearly a decade in the making; and with its completion and the construction of a centralized hub, it connects to the VA’s existing facility to offer veterans world-class medical care.

With a snip of giant scissors, Pittsburgh dedicated the newest building in patient care for area veterans.

“We had long dialogues and discussions with patients’ families and staff that helped us to understand how these veterans suffered in war,” said Tim Powers, the president of Architecture for Astorino. “These insights helped us realize that this project is more than bricks and mortar.”

Architects designed a building they hope will inspire people to be hopeful in their futures.

“The story of this building has just begun,” said Michael Moreland, the network director of Visn 4. “The story that is so exciting to me is the story of the employees, the volunteers and the veterans that will breathe life into this building.”

The new five-story building houses a chapel, audiology and speech pathology areas and 78 secure, private beds dedicated to psychiatric care.

Patients will also have access to three outdoor, rooftop terraces.

“This facility is a great step forward in fulfilling our obligation to honor their service and provide the healthcare that they need,” said Sen. Pat Toomey.

The $75.8 million Consolidation Building is scheduled to open for patients this summer.

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