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Timeline - NAS-JRB Willow Grove

Date Description
10.12.05 The Horsham Township Authority for NAS-JRB (HLRA) was formed by Horsham Township Resolution 2005-26.
11.09.05 Congress approves BRAC list. Base Relocation and Closure Act of 2005 (BRAC 2005) provides for the closure of NAS-JRB Willow Grove.
01.2006 As prescribed by law in early 2006 all federal agencies were given an opportunity to acquire some or all of the property from the Navy.
02.16.06 Formal application by Horsham Township Authority to Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA) for recognition as the LRA to plan reuse of NAS-JRB Willow Grove.
03.10.06 Under Secretary of Defense letter received recognizing Horsham Township Authority as the Local Redevelopment Authority for planning the Redevelopment of NAS-JRB Willow Grove and Off-site Housing.
04.27.06 Horsham Township Authority (HLRA) recognized in the Federal Register as Local Redevelopment Authority for NAS-JRB Willow Grove and Off-site Housing.
05.11.06 Environmental Condition of Property Report finalized by Department of the Navy.
2006-2009 Surplus would have been declared June, 2006 and redevelopment plan move forward but in 2006, former Governor Rendell worked with the U.S. Congress on special legislation to remove NAS-JRB Willow Grove from BRAC 2005 and create a military-to-military transfer of about 660 acres of excess Navy property at NAS-JRB Willow Grove to the Army, which in turn would lease the lands to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for use by the Pennsylvania National Guard, other Department of Defense components, government entities and associated users to support national defense, homeland security and emergency preparedness missions. The Air Force agreed to assist Pennsylvania with its vision for a Joint Interagency Installation. The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs retained the services of L. Robert Kimball and Associates to prepare an Implementation Plan in connection with the transition of NAS-JRB Willow Grove to a Joint Interagency Installation operated under a lease between U.S. Air Force and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Kimball Report was issued in February, 2008.
11.12.09 Governor Rendell on November 12, 2009 sent a letter to Secretary of Defense advising that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will not be using NAS-JRB Willow Grove for the proposed Horsham Joint Interagency Installation. The Governor wrote "Pennsylvania, like most other states, faces serious fiscal challenges. In light of the harsh fiscal realities of our present and future state budgets, the Commonwealth undertook an in-depth review of all plans and programs including the costs and benefits of state ownership of the Joint Interagency Installation. The continued and increasing expenditures of scarce state resources on this project made no sense as long as the Federal Government failed to commit to being a full partner in this effort."
12.22.09 Under Secretary of Defense letter to Governor Rendell acknowledging receipt of letter dated November 12, 2009 and advising that the Navy would now dispose of NAS-JRB Willow Grove in accordance with BRAC law.
01.08.10 As prescribed by law, all federal agencies were given another opportunity to acquire some or all of the property from the Navy. The Navy approved the transfer or 3 acres to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for property along Horsham Road including their radar tower. The Navy also agreed to transfer approximately 28 acres to the Air Force to add to their military enclave named Horsham Air Guard Station.
09.16.10 Department of the Navy declares NAS-JRB Willow Grove surplus property in the Federal Register after four year delay.
10.15.10 HLRA advertised Public Notice of availability of Surplus Federal Property to State and Local Eligible parties, including homeless service providers. The HLRA is seeking Notices of Interest (NOI) for surplus property from homeless providers and public benefit users due March 22, 2011. A Public Workshop was also advertised in same ad being held December 16, 2010.
11.05.10 Request for Proposal (RFP) published in newspaper for land planning consultant for NAS-JRB Willow Grove. RFP's due December 6, 2010.
11.11.10 Outreach letters mailed notifying homeless provider and public agencies of availability of 892 acres of Navy surplus property at NAS-JRB Willow Grove.
12.06.10 Three Requests for Proposals were received from interested land planning consultants. HLRA to review proposals.
12.16.10 HLRA Public workshop held at Horsham Township Community Center to provide an overview of base redevelopment planning process, a tour of the base, information on land use constraints at that time and the NOI Process. NOI booklets distributed for application by homeless providers and public benefit users. NOI's due March 22, 2011.
01.19.11 HLRA hires RKG Associates as land planning consultant for NAS-JRB Willow Grove.
02.07.11 HLRA Community Kick-off Meeting and presentation by RKG Associates.
03.22.11 Notice of Interest due date. HLRA received and will evaluate along with consultant, seventeen NOI's submitted from ATG Learning Academy, Acts Retirement, America Responds with Love, DHVAA, Horsham Township, ESI Equipment, Hatboro-Horsham School District, Horsham Water and Sewer Authority, Philadelphia Stand Down, Philadelphia Search and Rescue, YMCA, Play and Learn, Montgomery County, Bucks County Airport Authority and Bucks County Housing Group, Inc., Genesis Housing Corporation and TRF Development Partners, Inc. jointly.
03.30.11 A "Base Disestablishment Ceremony" was held Wednesday, March 30, 2011 to formally commemorate the closure of NAS-JRB (Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base) Willow Grove. More than 500 guests bid farewell to a Naval Air Station that throughout the last 68 years has been the home to thousands of military men and woman and their families. As a final symbol of closure, the flag was lowered for the final time and aircraft took off after the ceremonies for the last time.
04.20.11 HLRA Meeting with presentation by RKG Associates to report on the results of their survey of the existing conditions at the base and also the results of the community survey from the February 7, 2011 meeting. RKG broke out the meeting attendees into several different topic groups to get each group to identify a set of underlying planning principles that will help define the final reuse plan.
06.10.11 Community Design Charrette was prepared by RKG Associates and held at the Horsham Township Community Center. Citizens were able to voice their ideas and hear other options in devising potential options for the 892-acre parcel. The audience broke into groups to discuss topics of employment, open space, transportation and other possibilities. During the breakout sessions attendees were asked to work collaboratively in small groups to map out plans both with and without an airport.
06.11.11

Citizens saw their ideas presented on maps of the NAS-JRB Willow Grove naval base during a late afternoon wrap-up session at the Horsham Township Community Center. The five sketch development plans are the consultants attempt to depict how those citizens in attendance on June 10, 2011 would like the property redeveloped. Note: The sketches were not reviewed by the planners as to whether or not the uses are economically feasible and were done without regard to the NOIs.

06.14.11

Interim Lease Agreement executed between the United State of America and Horsham Township Authority for NAS-JRB for Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base located in Willow Grove, PA for the purpose of allowing the Delaware Valley Historical Aircraft Association to continue to operate its Wings of Freedom Museum.

06.28.11

Sublease Agreement executed between Horsham Township Authority for NAS-JRB and Delaware Valley Historical Aircraft Association. Signing of the Sublease will allow the non-profit group to continue operating its Wings of Freedom Museum. The land that houses the museum is owned by the military. As a contingency to remain on the property beyond June 30, 2011, the date of DVHAA's lease expiration with the military, DVHAA had to sign a sublease with the HLRA.

07.27.11

The HLRA Meeting at the Horsham Township Community Center was attended by over 400 members of the community. RKG Associates publicly evaluated and presented the 17 Notice of Interest (NOI) applications for no or low cost Public Benefit Conveyances. After several months of review and an opportunity for the applicants to submit additional information, the HLRA Board voted on the various applications.

08.17.11

On August 17, 2011, in front of another packed house at the Horsham Township Community Center, RKG Associates, Inc. presented to the HLRA Board three Base Reuse Alternatives that, in their opinion, best respond to the site's reuse potential from which the Preferred Reuse Plan will evolve. This was the first time RKG Associates, showed the Board and the public what it thinks might work the best where. Common themes explored in the three plans that have been the favorite of community members and the Board included a town center, road improvements and extensions and a corporate business park.

10.19.11

The HLRA Board met on Wednesday, October 19, 2011 with its subcommittees, Horsham Council and the Horsham Planning Commission, to weigh in on the three Base Reuse Alternatives for the 892 acres at the closed NAS-JRB Willow Grove. The HLRA Board provided the consultant, RKG Associates, direction to proceed with a draft Preferred Redevelopment Plan based on their views and numerous public comments received.

11.16.11

At the November 16, 2011 HLRA Meeting, RKG Associates revealed Base Reuse Alternative - Option D. This new map was created from feedback from the HLRA Board and its subcommittees, Horsham Township Council and Horsham Planning Commission, as well as public comment at the October, 2011 meeting. Option D incorporates the best aspects of the three Base Reuse Alternatives into a single Preferred Reuse Alternative - Option D. The plan is a mixed use plan configured to integrate the site with the Horsham community

12.21.11

The HLRA Board members provided guidance to the planning team to further refine the Preferred Reuse Alternative Map - Option D.

01.18.12

The Preferred Reuse Alternative map - Option E was presented to the HLRA Board and the public on January 18, 2012 at 7:00pm in the Horsham Township Community Center. Option E was prepared in response to the comments from the HLRA Board and public during the December 21, 2011 HLRA meeting. The HLRA Board moved to direct RKG to provide the financial data and the draft NAS-JRB Willow Grove Redevelopment Plan based on Option E.

02.15.12

The draft NAS-JRB Willow Grove Redevelopment Plan and Homeless Assistance Submission was presented to the HLRA Board and the public on February 15, 2012. After receiving comments on this draft plan from the HLRA Board, other stakeholders and the public, RKG will make necessary edits and prepare the final Redevelopment Plan document for adoption by the HLRA Board.

03.21.12

On March 21, 2012, after considerable analysis, public input and discussion, the Horsham Township Authority for NAS-JRB Willow Grove ("HLRA") officially approved the proposed NAS-JRB Willow Grove Redevelopment Plan and Homeless Assistance Submission. The final plan identifies the most appropriate uses for the redevelopment of the 862-acre property declared surplus by the U.S. Navy in 2010. The NAS-JRB Willow Grove Redevelopment Plan and Homeless Assistance Submission will be sent to the Secretary of Defense and the Department of Housing and Urban Development in Washington D.C. after minor edits have been incorporated by March 30, 2012.

04.27.12 The NAS-JRB Willow Grove Redevelopment Plan and Homeless Assistance Submission was submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Navy.
06.25.12 Horsham Land Redevelopment Authority (HLRA) was created by Horsham Township Resolution 2012-2 to implement the NAS-JRB Willow Grove Redevelopment Plan.
07.19.12 The Horsham Land Redevelopment Authority (HLRA) requests recognition as the Local Redevelopment Authority (LRA) for the purposes of implementing the NAS-JRB Willow Grove Redevelopment Plan, serving as the sole point of contact regarding conveyance and redevelopment of the former Naval Air Station-Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove.
08.27.12 Office of the Under Secretary of Defense letter received recognizing Horsham Land Redevelopment Authority as the Local Redevelopment Authority for purposes of implementing the local redevelopment plan for the Naval Air Station-Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove.
09.19.12 Since the planning process for the redevelopment of the NAS-JRB Willow Grove base is complete; the Board for the Horsham Township Authority for NAS-JRB Willow Grove voted to dissolve on September 19, 2012. All assets and liabilities will be transferred to the Horsham Land Redevelopment Authority.
09.20.12 HLRA requests proposals from consulting firms to provide assistance in preparing an Economic Development Conveyance (EDC) application. Proposals due October 22, 2012.
12.05.12 The Navy transferred 27.20 acres of land and improvements at the former NAS-JRB site to the Department of Air Force for use by the Pennsylvania Air National Guard.
01.09.13 The Navy completed the transfer of approximately three (3) acres of land and facilities at the former NAS-JRB to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on January 9, 2013. The parcel contains an existing FAA operated airport surveillance radar which supports the Philadelphia Air Traffic Control Center.
01.17.13 Matrix Design Group selected as the consultant to assist the HLRA with their Economic Development Conveyance (EDC) Application.
01.24.14 HLRA issues Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for a Master Developer for the redevelopment of 862 acres at the former NAS-JRB Willow Grove. Proposals due March 31, 2014.
01.24.14 HLRA submits Economic Development Conveyance (EDC) Application to the Navy.
03.31.14

HLRA Receives Statements of Qualifications from ten (10) Master Developers

05.21.14 HLRA issues a Request for Proposals (RFP) to short list master developer firms for NAS-JRB Willow Grove.  Proposals due August 4, 2014.
08.20.14 HLRA receives four proposals in response to the RFP for master developer services for the redevelopment of NAS-JRB Willow Grove.  Proposals are received from Catellus Development Corporation, The Hankin Group, Lennar/Toll Bros. and K Hovnanian, et al.
01.21.15 HLRA identifies Catellus Development Corporation as the master developer firm for the redevelopment of NAS-JRB Willow Grove.
03.20.15

U.S. Navy announces the availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Disposal and Reuse of the former Naval Air Station-Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove in the Federal Register.

06.20.15

HLRA signs Exclusive Negotiation Agreement (ENA) with Catellus Development Corporation. The ENA is the first step in establishing a Master Development Agreement between the HLRA and Catellus. The ENA sets a certain time frame for exclusive negotiations on the terms and conditions for a MDA and is used to identify key issues that must be addressed prior to successful redevelopment of the property.

09.28.15

HLRA submits an updated Economic Development Conveyance (EDC) application to the U.S. Navy