The City of Tustin (City) acting in its Federally designated role as the Local Reuse Authority (LRA) for former Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Tustin (now called Tustin Legacy), has appropriated funds to begin maintenance activities which include cleanup and securing of the area around the North Hangar (known as Reuse Parcel 18).
On August 11, 2021, the City Council, acting as the LRA, removed the County of Orange Regional Park use from the Tustin Legacy Reuse Plan/Specific Plan, and committed to a license agreement with the Department of the Navy to maintain and secure the area of Reuse Parcel 18 at the City’s expense.
With the procurement of a license agreement with the Navy to take further cleanup and security activities on the Navy-owned property, the City Council (acting as the LRA) has appropriated $330,000 to perform an initial phase of site cleanup and maintenance activities, including:
- Large containers removal
- Various junk piles removal
- Various abandoned equipment removal
- Interior fencing removal
- Repair and replacement of broken perimeter fencing
- Tree removal and maintenance
- Incorporation of the Reuse Parcel 18 site into Tustin Legacy property management contract
- Hazardous materials assessment to determine any abatement necessary for all buildings
Phase 1 initial cleanup, maintenance and security activities will begin later this month which will provide greater site visibility for public safety personnel and incorporation of the site into the City’s regular maintenance schedule. These early activities are at the City’s expense, and reflect the most comprehensive clean up, site security, property maintenance and assessment of Reuse Parcel 18 since MCAS Tustin closed in 1999. Approval of this funding allocation and initial actions also demonstrate the City’s (acting as the LRA) immediate and future commitment to the site on behalf of the greater Tustin community.
“The City is excited to begin this initial cleanup phase,” stated Mayor Letitia Clark. “And we are looking forward to engaging our residents in the next steps of this process.”
While Phase 1 activities are underway, the City (acting as the LRA) will continue to work with the Department of the Navy and the National Parks Service to allow for the City (acting as the LRA) to move forward with the reuse planning process for this site. Once the City/LRA is approved to move forward on the reuse planning process, the City/LRA will evaluate a number of different use alternatives for the future of the site that may include public parks as well other potential land uses. The reuse planning process will be presented publicly at a later date.