McDonnell Douglas Offers Land for Sale

Another big aerospace company has joined Hughes Electronics and Rockwell International in the quest to boost revenue by selling unused land in Orange County.

McDonnell Douglas Corp.’s Space and Defense systems unit in Huntington Beach sits on 300 acres, of which about 20% has never been developed. For years, McDonnell Douglas picked up a few extra bucks leasing some of the the vacant land to strawberry farmers.

But the fragrance of ripening strawberries is likely soon to be just a memory for the plant’s 5,700 workers.

The company has decided that it will never grow into the extra property, and last year sold a 23.4-acre parcel on the corner of Springdale Street and Bolsa Avenue to Sharp Electronics. Construction on Sharp’s $34-million regional headquarters and warehouse is just beginning.

In recent weeks, “For Sale” signs have been posted on two remaining parcels, a total of 22 acres. In addition, about 10 acres now designated for parking lots and an employee recreation field are considered surplus although they haven’t been formally put on the block.

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John O’Dell covers major Orange County corporations, manufacturing and economic issues for The Times. He can be reached at (714) 966-5831 and at john.odell@latimes.com