A ruling on the future use of the Veteran Affairs campus in West Los Angeles could be coming soon, one Los Angeles Federal Court judge said on Aug. 16, according to NBC Los Angeles.
A land-granting deed from the 19th century stipulates to the federal government that the land on the VA grounds is reserved for veterans, such as constructing housing.
Legal counsel for the VA contends that the groups and community organizations using the VA land, such as UCLA's Jackie Robinson Stadium, Brentwood School's athletic facilities and the outdoor theaters, fall within the proper use.
The attorney for the ACLU arguing on behalf of the suing veterans contends the numerous community uses on the VA grounds are a misuse of the property, other than the uses intended from the deed of 1888, to be benefiting the health and welfare of veterans.
In January and admittedly more than five years late, the VA broke ground to start renovations on Building 209 on campus for transitional housing for 66 veterans with mental health and medical needs. In March, veterans groups protested outside the VA gates in Brentwood on behalf of homeless and disabled veterans, asking the federal government to honor the deed of 1888.
The West L.A. VA is already under scrutiny by elected officials, such as Rep. Henry Waxman's office, to convert Building 209 into housing for veterans. The VA broke ground on the project in January.
Click here to read more on the latest news on the lawsuit.
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