Objections to NASA Proposal to Dispose of Moffett Field Escalate

There has been a surge of outrage at the NASA statement that Moffett Field has no mission need and is excess to NASA.  At our May 10 meeting the Moffett Field Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) voted to object to this action and to set up a task group to write a letter of concern and objection to NASA.  After several iterations the letter was distributed May 17. NASA replies to the RAB objections probably won’t be sent any time soon. 

Here is part of the RAB letter:

Dear Administrator Bolden and Acting Administrator Tangherlini,

The Moffett Field Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) was appalled by the implications of NASA’s plan, as expressed in your letter to Representative Eshoo of May 3, 2012, to engage the GSA in determining the future of Moffett Federal Airfield and Hangar One. What we all imagined as the worst possible outcome a little over a year ago for Hangar One is now emerging as reality. By September 2012 Hangar One will be a steel framework (often called the “giant turkey carcass”) exposed to the elements as the Navy’s paintwork begins its inevitable process of deterioration.  Unless some initiative is taken by NASA, the White House, or now the GSA it will stand there as a testament to a failure of Government just at a time when so many challenge Washington’s ability to lead.

We ask you to act now to find a solution to recover Hangar One and preserve it for future use – not kick the can down the road with another study.  This is the time to be innovative: either accept the Hangar One restoration offer from H211 LLC for a public-private partnership that does not require government funding or find another alternative that will be a win-win for everyone. All agree that Moffett is a tremendous regional asset. There must be a way for modern government to leverage the value of that asset and preserve this most important historical icon of Silicon Valley.

This letter was one of many formally submitted to NASA objecting to delays re-skinning Hangar One with private funding. The mayors of Mountain View, Michael Kasperzak and Sunnyvale, Tony Spitaleri and the National Trust for Historic Preservation also sent letters objecting to NASA declaring Moffett Field excess.  

Our objections seem to have gotten the attention of NASA Headquarters. At the RAB meeting a letter was read from NASA Headquarters Communications. It said it has not moved to excess Hangar One and Moffett, but that formal mediation among congress members and GSA is the next step. 

Local communities, residents, state and local agencies, and local agencies all supposedly will be involved in determining the future of Moffett Field. Meanwhile Moffett Field and Hangar One are in limbo and new leases with R&D and startups can’t be signed for the site, as previously planned, and Hangar One will be left to weather and attract birds that will threaten aircraft at the field.

The Mountain View Voice ran four pages of articles about the uncertainty of Moffett Field’s future in the May 18^th paper.  The heat is on NASA to resolve the future of Moffett Field soon, and not leave it to GSA which will take years. We must keep up the pressure to retain this valuable community site.