Michael Mewhinney

NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA

(Phone: 650/604-3937, 650/604-9000)

RELEASE: 00-49AR

NASA officials will discuss transformation of portions of the property
located at Moffett Field into a world-class, shared-use educational and R&D
campus during three public environmental impact scoping meetings next week.

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. Specific areas involved are:

o NASA Research Park: A 213-acre parcel located between Ames Research Center Facilities, the airfield, U.S. Highway 101 and the U.S. Air Force
military housing area;
o East Side – Airfield: A 952-acre parcel that includes the airfield and
property located east of the airfield;
o Bay View: A 95-acre parcel located north of the existing campus of Ames Research Center Facilities;
o Ames Research Center Facilities: A 240-acre parcel comprising the
existing campus of Ames Research Center

Three public scoping meetings on the environmental impact of the Ames
Development Plan will be held during the week of July 10-13.

o Monday, July 10: 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in the Mountain View City
Council Chambers, 500 Castro St., Mountain View
o Wednesday, July 12: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the U.S. Space Camp California
Eagle Room, the Main Gate, NASA Ames Research Center
o Thursday, July 13: 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in the Sunnyvale City Council
Chambers, 456 W. Olive St., Sunnyvale

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:

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

o 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.

o 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.

o 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:
researchpark@arc.nasa.gov.