[CPEO-MEF] REUSE: Plattsburgh (NY) Air Force Base

[Lenny Siegel <lennysiegel@gmail.com>]

News Release
May 29, 2008


A Better Life after Base Closure? Plattsburgh Says Yes

Case study of redeveloped Plattsburgh (NY) Air Force Base shows how 
local communities gained $100 million in new tax ratables

PLATTSBURGH, NY: For near-term economic and social disruption, few 
planned events compare to the closure of a military base. Since 1988, 
the US Department of Defense's Base Realignment and Closure process has 
shut down or radically realigned 497 military installations, with 49 
more slated to close or downsize by 2011.

Communities grappling with the shock and aftershocks of closure can take 
inspiration from the hard-won success of a base redevelopment effort in 
upstate New York, chronicled in the new book "Flying High Again: PARC's 
Redevelopment of Plattsburgh Air Force Base" by Marian Calabro 
(CorporateHistory.net Press).

The first extensive case study of a single base closure redevelopment, 
"Flying High Again" explores the tough economic and political issues 
involved in the changeover. Rather than call in a master developer, the 
Plattsburgh Airbase Redevelopment Corporation and local community took a 
do-it-ourselves approach that reflects the independent, no-nonsense 
nature of largely rural Clinton County.

Experts predicted a 25-year turnaround. But 13 years after the 1995 
closure, redevelopment is more than 90% complete. The former base is 
home to businesses, nonprofits, new and restored housing, community 
college facilities, and a commercial airport. The efforts have put $100 
million of first-time ratables on the tax rolls of the city and town of 
Plattsburgh.

"We hope our story will be a useful guide for other affected 
communities," says PARC CEO Bruce Steadman. Lesson #1 from PARC's “11 
Habits of Highly Effective Base Closures," contained in the book, is: 
"Be willing to challenge the Air Force."

"Flying High Again," a large-format, 160-page paperback with hundreds of 
color photos, is available through Amazon.com or from PARC (phone 
518-561-0232) at a cover price of $30.

Contact: Marian Calabro, author, Hasbrouck Heights, NJ, 201-288-2036 
(info@corporatehistory.net)
PARC (Plattsburgh Airbase Redevelopment Corp.), Plattsburgh, NY, 
518-561-0232:
Bruce Steadman, CEO (bruces@parc-usa.com)
Dennis Doyle, PR Director (dennisdoyle@parc-usa.com)

Source for Dept. of Defense base closure statistics: Defense 
Environmental Network & Information Exchange (www.denix.osd.mil)

END

Marian Calabro (info@corporatehistory.net)
Author & Publisher
CorporateHistory.net
Hasbrouck Heights, NJ   07604
Phone : 201-288-2036

For the original press release and links, go to
http://www.expertclick.com/NewsReleaseWire/default.cfm?Action=ReleaseDetail&ID=21659
--


Lenny Siegel
Executive Director, Center for Public Environmental Oversight
a project of the Pacific Studies Center
278-A Hope St., Mountain View, CA 94041
Voice: 650/961-8918 or 650/969-1545
Fax: 650/961-8918
<lsiegel@cpeo.org>
http://www.cpeo.org


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