Turn El Toro Into a College Campus Instead of Airport

* After reading “Surprise Switch on El Toro Reuse Study Hikes Cost” (Sept. 4) and feeling angry and frustrated by the ridiculous amount of money being spent on two groups of consultants to help decide the fate of El Toro, I felt compelled to write with my suggestion on how to better use the buildings, land and airstrips. (This is provided for no fee.)

I do not profess to fully understand the economics of my idea. However, a similar plan was implemented by the state in Monterey using the army base at Fort Ord as a new California State University [campus].

From the moment I heard about the base closure at El Toro, I thought this would be a perfect location for a college campus in South County. Since I am a Cal State Fullerton alumnus and CSUF shares a portion of the Saddleback College campus, it seems logical for CSUF to have a South County campus. The barracks could be the student dorms; the medical center could be the health center; the many other classrooms and buildings would be used for other pertinent needs. The air facilities could be used as a training school for private and commercial pilots, perhaps focusing on a major in aviation. I think you get the idea. If it works in Monterey, why not at El Toro?

In my humble opinion, this would be a much better idea than an airport. We already have a new, expensive [expansion of] John Wayne Airport. We certainly don’t need thousands more homes, cars and strip malls that the building industry wants to use the land for. This college would also provide jobs for the many talented and creative people we have in Orange County, academic and otherwise.

SHEILA KATZ

Laguna Hills