The Baldwin Park VA clinic will remain open, U.S. Rep. John Mica announced Tuesday.
The announcement came in response to concerns that the soon-to-open VA hospital at Lake Nona won't be able to handle Orlando's growing needs for veteran services.
"This is a victory for veterans," Mica said. "The VA estimates supported our concerns that keeping this facility open is vital to meeting local veterans' needs. Veterans and community leaders joined in making this possible. When Central Florida comes together in one voice, anything and everything is possible."
The VA completed an analysis for Orlando area population. They said the population estimates by the year 2023 will exceed the workload at the new hospital in Lake Nona, which hasn't even opened yet.
Dating back to 2012, Mica has sent letters to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. That's when Mica started the campaign to keep the Baldwin Park clinic open.
In his letter, Mica stated the need for maintaining the use of the facility, citing the area's growing veteran population. This year, Mica initiated a Central Florida Congressional delegation letter, again restating the need for the clinic to remain open.