LYNN — The Veterans Administration Clinic at 225 Boston St. is looking to sign a new, longer lease with the Economic Development and Industrial Corporation (EDIC/Lynn), which took ownership of the property in March.
EDIC/Lynn Executive Director Jim Cowdell said the original lease the clinic signed was set to end in September. After the purchase, he said the VA almost immediately began conversations about a new lease.
“We had a communication with them at the end of last week and we’re looking to have a new lease in place, multiple years, hopefully signed at the end of June,” Cowdell said.
Keeping the clinic up and running is a “top priority” for EDIC/Lynn and Mayor Jared Nicholson because of the strong need for veteran services in the area, he said.
“When we bought the building, we did a walk-through and in the one hour that we were there, there was a steady stream of veterans going in for services,” Cowdell said. “So, what we’d like to do is not only get a lease extended, but we want to talk to the VA about expanding the current services to see what other services we could provide.”
Mike Sweeney, the city’s director of veteran services, said the lease renewal is great news for the clinic, as they have been fighting for it to stay open for so long.
The clinic was at risk of closing back in March 2022 after a recommendation from the Veterans Affairs Bedford Healthcare System to build or lease a larger clinic outside of the city.
Nicholson and the Lynn state delegation worked together to let the VA know that the clinic is vital and needs to stay open. EDIC/Lynn then stepped in and purchased the property.
“We are extremely thankful that EDIC did that and I know the mayor was at the heart of that, along with the City Council, to be able to put that kind of money to keep those health-care resources still available,” Sweeney said.
Nicholson said that his administration is committed to advocacy for veterans and “ensuring their access to quality services.”
“It is critical that they continue to receive the resources and support they need, right here in Lynn,” Nicholson said.
2,000 patients use the Lynn VA Clinic, Sweeney said.
“It’s one of the reasons we’ve been fighting so hard, it is such a key component to the health care of Lynn veterans and to other veterans in the area,” he said.
