At that time, NASA will release its proposed development plan for the Moffett property. As part of this "Ames Development Plan," NASA would create partnerships with federal, state and local government agencies, universities, private industry and non-profit organizations in support of NASA's mission to conduct research and develop new technologies.

"Working with collaborative organizations will provide NASA with the critical mass of scholars, scientists, and engineers necessary to create a vital research and educational community focused on the advancement of human knowledge," explained Michael Marlaire, Chief of Ames' Development and Communication Office. "This is an exciting development for the entire region."

By integrating public and private sector research and development efforts, NASA Ames Research Center would serve as a hub for commercialization and technology transfer. It would ensure cutting-edge research and technology while promoting commercial applications of NASA's basic scientific research.

The Ames Development Plan addresses proposed new development in the Bay View and East Side-Airfield areas, as well as potential replacement of existing NASA facilities at Ames. Three public scoping meetings on the environmental impact of the Ames Development Plan will be held during the week of July 10-13.

The Federal Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission recommended disestablishing Moffett Field Naval Air Station in 1991. NASA (and its predecessor NACA), a separate civilian agency, shared Moffett Field with the Navy since 1939. NASA worked closely with local and regional leaders and, in 1994, the U.S. Department of Defense transferred ownership of the 1,857-acre property to NASA.

NASA officials prepared a Comprehensive Use Plan (CUP) and an associated Environmental Assessment that resulting in a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and presented the CUP to the public at a series of meetings in 1994.

From 1994-1997, the remaining military tenants continued exiting from Moffett Field. NASA and the cities of Mountain View and Sunnyvale discussed various ideas for use of the facilities under NASA ownership.

In 1998, the cities established a Community Advisory Committee (CAC) to recommend uses within NASA's mission and authority. The CAC worked closely with NASA and made their recommendations to the cities.

The proposed Ames Development Plan is the result of working closely with the CAC, both cities' professional economic development staffs, community and university leaders, and regional economic development organizations.

The proposed Ames Development Plan has also received encouragement from briefings made to a variety of federal organizations, including the Office of Management and Budget, the General Services Administration and the non-profit National Research Council.

Four alternatives for the proposed development will be studied in the project's Environmental Impact Statement:

Alternative 1: No action; continued use of buildings and land.

Alternative 2: Increase buildings and existing structures from 1.5 million square feet to 3.5 million square feet of floor space within the NASA Research Park. Proposed uses include research and development, laboratory, museum and educational facilities, offices, student/faculty housing, training and residential conference facilities. Also included is the renovation of 500,000 square feet, including Hangar One, for the California Air and Space Center. For the Bay View site, this alternative includes 1.3 million square feet of new offices, research and development, laboratory, educational facilities and student/faculty housing.

For East Side-Airfield, this alternative includes approximately 550,000 square feet of new light industrial, research and development, office and educational facilities. For Ames Research Center facilities, this alternative includes the renovation and replacement of approximately 500,000 square feet for offices, research and development and laboratories. No new wind tunnels or increased aircraft operations are proposed. The existing burrowing owl habitat would be protected.

Alternative 3: For the NASA Research Park, this alternative is the same as Alternative 2, except buildings and existing structures are increased from 1.5 million square feet to 4.5 million square feet of floor space within the NASA Research Park. For the Bay View site, this alternative includes no proposed development. For the East Side-Airfield site, this alternative includes the adaptive reuse of existing historic hangars. For Ames Research Center facilities, this alternative includes the renovation and/or replacement of existing buildings and structures. No new wind tunnels or increased aircraft operations are proposed. The existing Burrowing Owl habitat would be protected.

Alternative 4: For the NASA Research Park, this alternative is the same as Alternative 2 except that it increases buildings and existing structures from 1.5 million square feet to 3.0 million square feet of floor space within the NASA Research Park. For the Bay View site, this alternative also includes 2.7 million square feet of new offices, research and development, laboratory, educational facilities and student/faculty housing located in the northern portion of Bay View. For the East Side-Airfield site, this alternative would include approximately 670,000 of new light industrial, research and development, office and educational facilities. For Ames Research Center facilities, this alternative would include the renovation and replacement of approximately 1.5 million square feet for offices, research and development and laboratories. No new wind tunnels or increased aircraft operations are proposed. The existing Burrowing Owl habitat would be protected.

Members of the public may submit written comments to NASA by July 31, 2000 for consideration during the "scoping" process. Comments should be directed to Sandy Olliges, NASA Ames Research Center, Environmental Services Office, Mail Stop 218-1; or by e-mail to: [email protected].

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