In a move that could save Moffett Field's Hangar
One, the federal government announced today, March 1, that it is seeking bids
for the restoration and lease of the iconic structure.
According to a
"Notice of Intent", a competitive bidding process will begin
this Spring to find a tenant for Hangar One, recently stripped by United States
Navy contractors down to a bare metal frame in an environmental cleanup.
The General Services Administration will be issuing the "request for
proposals" on behalf of NASA, which will remain Hangar One's owner.
There could also be some changes in store for Moffett's massive
airfield. The notice says, "While the primary objective is to facilitate the
expeditious re-siding of Hangar One, the Government will also consider proposals
to manage the Moffett Federal Airfield," adding that the federal government
hopes to "eliminate NASA's operating and maintenance cost for the airfield."
NASA Ames Research Center has complained that it covers several million
dollars in airfield expenses every year that are not paid for by users of the
runways at Moffett. Major users include the Air National Guard and Lockheed
Martin.
"This notice of intent embodies my consistent goals over several
years to save Hangar One and to keep Moffett Federal Airfield as a local and Bay
Area public safety and national security asset, and home to the 129th Rescue
Wing," said Congresswoman Anna Eshoo in a statement.
Eshoo's office said
in an email that the move was made after a meeting between Eshoo, the General
Services Administration, NASA and the White House on Feb. 26.
"Moffett
Federal Airfield will NOT be excessed," Eshoo's office said, addressing concerns
raised last year about NASA headquarters push to "excess" Moffett's airfield and
Hangar One to another government agency in a lengthy process, jeopardizing
efforts to reuse Hangar One. "It will remain a restricted Federal Airfield and
NASA will remain its custodian."
"GSA and NASA will work closely with the
local community to explain the RFP process and produce the desired outcomes,"
Eshoo said. "I will continue to work with the agencies and my communities to see
this critical process through."
Last year Eshoo expressed disappointment
that NASA had not responded to a proposal from
Google's founders -- through
H211 LLC --to restore and lease Hangar One for use as private airplane hangar.
The restoration was estimated to cost over $40 million. Google's executives
announced a plan last month to house their fleet of planes at San Jose's Mineta
International Airport.
There is also an effort by Save Hagar One
Committee members to build an air and space museum in Hangar One, having formed
the Air and Space West Educational Foundation. H211 had expressed interest in
possibly sharing Hangar One with the museum.
"H211 is still interested
in Moffett Field, perhaps in addition to the San Jose deal," said Lenny Siegel,
a Save Hangar One Committee member, in an email.
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