SEN. WILLIAMS ON THE WILLOW GROVE NAVAL AIR STATION 

To the Editor:

 While I continue to hope that the federal court ruling in favor of keeping the Willow Grove Naval Air Station open is not overturned, I believe it is important that we follow the lead of other communities that have faced this fate in the past and turn potentially bad news into an economic opportunity for the region.

 The model that I remember vividly is from the 1990s in Texas when the Bergstrom Air Force Base was put on the chopping block by the Defense Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC). Austin began early on in the process to develop a base-closure plan and created a committee charged with handling all aspects of closure, environmental remediation and studies for how the property could be used.

 Community involvement was important to the success of the conversion of the property from a military base to a thriving airport for Austin, Texas.

 I give the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission credit for seeing an opportunity when it made a recommendation in July to the governor’s aviation advisory committee to add the airstrip to its long-range regional planning goals. I also understand the concern of the local Horsham government to maintain control of the property as it plans its future growth and water, sewage, highway and airport needs.

 As the Willow Grove story moves forward, I would ask that everyone keep a few key facts in mind. The Willow Grove runway can accommodate any size aircraft and could become a hub for handling corporate jet traffic. It would allow larger corporations an option of locating at another airport that isn’t regularly used for commercial flights. The new airport could be another economic development tool that can be used to draw new business and industry to Southeast Pennsylvania. At the same time, it would alleviate some of the need to expand the Philadelphia Airport.

 Even if the decision is reached to place the Pennsylvania National Guard at Willow Grove, the opportunity remains for both military and civilian operations to co-exist.

 In short, it is imperative that no matter what the outcome of the BRAC recommendation, that we preserve the asset that we have at Willow Grove. It is going to be critical that all levels of government work together.

 Willow Grove was born in 1926 when Harold Pitcairn built a hangar and mowed a strip of farmland for a landing strip to develop and test airplanes. Pitcairn kept the field until 1942 when the United States Navy purchased it. It has grown since that time to the largest Naval Air Station on the East Coast.

 The Pennsylvania Bureau of Aviation recently completed studies of the impact aviation-related activities have on the state. The studies showed these activities contribute in excess of $12.6 billion annually to the Commonwealth. The study also pointed to the need to enhance airports to meet the needs of residents, businesses and visitors.

 No matter what happens in the coming months, the Willow Grove property will be an asset.

 Sincerely,
Constance H. Williams
State Senator
17^th District