[CPEO-MEF] Puerto Rican bases

[Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@cpeo.org>]

[The future of the recently closed Roosevelt Roads Naval Base, discussed 
in this article, is particularly significant, because Navy officials 
view the disposition of Roosevelt Roads as the model for their approach 
to the upcoming national round of base closures. Remember, starting next 
week, such articles on base closure, cleanup, transfer, and reuse will 
be available through CPEO's new Installation Reuse Forum. To subscribe 
during the free trial period, just send me an e-mail with "IRF Sub" in 
the subject line, indicating whether you prefer individuals messages or 
the daily digest. - LS]

Minor support to Fort Buchanan’s BRAC inclusion; BRAC commissioners chosen

Roosevelt Roads redevelopment in final stages as Ceiba / Naguabo 
residents remain under grim economic strains

By MARIALBA MARTINEZ
CARIBBEAN BUSINESS (Puerto Rico Herald)

April 14, 2005

Secretary of State Marisara Pont’s remarks during her confirmation 
hearings about the need to unite and save Fort Buchanan from the federal 
government’s Base Realignment & Closure (BRAC) process momentarily 
hindered her confirmation to the executive post when Bayamón Mayor Ramón 
Luis Rivera took exception.

...

In other news, Economic Development & Commerce Department (EDCD) 
Secretary-Designate Jorge Silva revealed the U.S. Department of Housing 
has endorsed Roosevelt Roads’ redevelopment plan. In December 2004, the 
Roosevelt Roads Local Redevelopment Authority (LRA) submitted a land-use 
plan to the Department of Defense and the Department of Housing & Urban 
Development (HUD), federal agencies that participate in the LRA process. 
The plan includes redeveloping 6,125 acres of the naval base’s 8,600 
acres into nine mixed-use zones over 30 years, with the possible 
creation of 20,000 jobs.

"HUD determined the LRA plan presented an adequate balance of the 
communities’ and homeless people’s needs, with the critical elements for 
optimal economic development of the area," said Silva. "In addition, the 
plan complies with the applicable federal law. This endorsement allows 
the implementation of the redevelopment plan as conceived by the EDCD. 
Once the U.S. Navy fulfills the environmental evaluations that are 
required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the land 
transferences, and the subsequent actions to put into action the 
redevelopment plan will begin as well."

The LRA’s plan considers using about 2,000 acres that include the 
11,000-foot airport runway, Bundy area, golf course, urban center, 
residential area, port area, and beach / coastline zone. Plans are 
underway to build a scientific research park. The former base hospital 
and health facilities would be run by private groups and a homeless 
shelter, HUD’s only requirement for the LRA plan, will be part of the plan.

An additional 3,400 acres of wetlands and mangroves will be transferred 
to the Puerto Rico Conservation Trust for preservation. In addition, 212 
acres will be transferred to federal government agencies, including 45 
acres to the Homeland Security Department, 75 acres to the U.S. Customs 
Service, and 90 acres to the U.S. Army Reserve.

...

For the entire article, see
http://www.puertorico-herald.org/issues2/2005/vol09n15/CBMinorSuprtBuch.shtml


--
Lenny Siegel
Director, Center for Public Environmental Oversight
c/o PSC, 278-A Hope St., Mountain View, CA 94041
Voice: 650/961-8918 or 650/969-1545
Fax: 650/961-8918
http://www.cpeo.org

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