One of two majestic hangars, built in 1943 to house blimps at the Tustin Marine Corps Air Facility and a symbol of World War II construction ingenuity, may be torn down--a proposal that has triggered a controversy involving military, local and state officials.
Tentative plans by Tustin to demolish the south hangar to make room for a road have Marine and state officials scrambling to preserve both hangars.
The landmark hangars are scheduled to be transferred to local control after the base is closed next year. Tustin officials say it would be too expensive to maintain both buildings, the largest free-standing wooden structures ever built.
The hangars, which stand 183 feet tall and stretch longer than three football fields, were placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. The designation does not guarantee their preservation.
The hangars have housed military aircraft, been a location for filmmakers and even the site of a religious gathering.
Hans Kreutzberg, chief of the project review section at the California Office of Historic Preservation, said there is wide disagreement between his agency, whose job is to preserve historic structures, and Tustin officials.
Kreutzberg said the state agency has asked the Marine Corps to place a "historic preservation covenant" on the building before giving it to the city when the base closes July 1, 1999. This would delay possible demolition of the hangar by at least six months.
"The new owner would have to preserve the structure in a manner that doesn't adversely affect the structure's characteristics," Kreutzberg said. "Any proposal for use or work on the hangar would not change the structure's historic identity and features."
Marine officials are studying the state's request, Capt. Matthew Morgan said. He declined to elaborate except to say that such a covenant would apply to both hangars.
When the base closes, Tustin will assume ownership of the south hangar, and Orange County will get the north hangar. Marine and Tustin officials say that both hangars are in good condition, but the south hangar has minor structural damage.
Tustin's preliminary development plan for the air station calls for the south hangar to be razed to make way for a road that would wind through a patchwork of commercial buildings. City officials have a backup plan that includes a road winding around the hangar if a plan is found to attract retailers to the hangar and generate enough money to maintain the facility.
