The January, 2006 Richmond ReView features a front page article by Todd Levinson, “Veterans Medical Center set to build new labs.” Levinson notes that “The San Francisco Veterans Administration Medical Center is continuing its plans to construct research labs on a corner patch of land that borders Seal Rock Drive” and Ft. Miley. The Planning Association for the Richmond (PAR) and concerned neighbors have requested that the VAMC conduct an assessment of the impact on the neighborhood and local environment, but the VAMC claims it is exempt from such a requirement — even though this project will exhaust air, sewage and waste, increase traffic, and increase noise.

While FOLE fully supports research to improve the health of our veterans, we question the appropriateness of locating labs handling biohazards immediately adjacent to residences. “These labs are going to be 75 feet from our homes,” FOLE co-founder David Burns is quoted as saying.

The full story is available at the Richmond ReView website.