Pease Air Force Base, New Hampshire (BRAC '88)
Less than a decade since closure, the former air base is now home to a commercial airport, more than 150 commercial businesses – including Redhook Brewery - and a public golf course. Now known as the Pease International Tradeport, the reuse has created more than 4,500 new jobs. Tradeport officials estimate that the facility represents $115 million in annual assessed tax benefits to the neighboring city of Portsmouth, and contributes $164 million annually to the local economy.
Fort Devens, Massachusetts (BRAC ‘91)
In 1996, the State of Massachusetts purchased 3,040 acres from the Army, including all utility systems, via an Economic Development Conveyance. Since then, approximately 400 acres have been sold or transferred, 3.5 million square feet of new construction has occurred, and about 200,000 square feet of existing buildings were leased. According to DoD’s Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA), more than 2,130 new jobs have been created to date at Devens.
England Air Force Base, Alexandria, LA (BRAC ‘91)
Upon news of closure in 1991, the community formed the England Economic and Industrial Development Authority to quickly transfer the base land and infrastructure to the community and then companies to lease it. In a short amount of time, the state found over 60 tenants who employ over 1,800 people, more than double the civilian employment at the time of closure. The Airpark handles 80,000 passengers a year and with lease and other revenues of over $5 million a year, is economically self-sufficient.
Carswell Air Force Base, Carswell, TX (BRAC ‘91)
In 1991, BRAC realigned Carswell Air Force Base into Naval Air Station, Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth. While the Department of Defense kept over 1700 of the approximately 2300 acres for the new base, the town worked quickly to utilize the newly transferred land. Carswell enlisted the Westworth Redevelopment Authority who has found use for 90% of the remaining land, creating over 800 new commercial and construction jobs.
Fitzsimons Army Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado (BRAC, ’95)
The Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority began drawing plans for the Colorado Bioscience Park before the Medical Center closed 1999. By 2000, it was offering start-up bioscience research firms close collegial affiliation with the University’s Health Sciences Center (UCHSC). The UCHSC recently completed the 600,000 square foot Anschutz Center for Advanced Medicine and the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Institute and Eye Bank. Construction has started on the new Nighthorse Campbell Native American Health Building and the Basic Science Research Complex. Though more than 1,600 jobs were lost when the Army Medical Center closed, the development program itself replaced 1,400 jobs, paving the way for a new “Health Sciences City” to replace the former military presence at Fitzsimons.
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