City officials say the best chance for gaining part of the base lies in the 5,170-acre inland portion that is unused and is outside the "blast arc" area that would be damaged if the station ever again suffered an explosion on the loading docks. Homes have already been built to the fence.
Ships loaded here provide firepower to ships and troops in the Western Pacific, including those on alert for possible conflict with North Korea.
"This is a force projection platform for that area," said Army Lt. Col. David R. McClean, who runs the Concord station.
If the Pentagon does not list the tidal portion of the base on its closure list, it is scheduled for a five-year, $27.5-million upgrade to provide better security and improved piers.
As the day for the list to be unveiled approaches, Concord officials are cautiously optimistic that the Pentagon will agree that the base should be closed.
"We're hoping the Pentagon says, 'Sounds good to us,' " said Linda Best, executive with the Contra Costa Economic Partnership.
