City Still Weighing Fate of Hangar

City officials said they are still studying the fate of a historic blimp hangar at the Tustin Marine Corps Air Facility now that they have more decision-making power on the issue.

State legislators last week gave the city significant power over whether to preserve or demolish one of the massive hangars on the base, set to close in July. A second hangar, also listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1975, is expected to be included in a county regional park plan.

Tustin officials said they’d like to preserve the 55-year-old structure, known as Hangar No. 2, but may not be able to afford its large price tag, namely $18 million to $30 million to bring it up to state health and safety codes, and $400,000 in annual maintenance costs.

Before making a final decision, the city will search for movie studios or other businesses that might be interested in using the hangar, said Assistant City Manager Chris Shingleton.

If it cannot support itself, officials have said the hangar may be demolished, allowing the city to straighten roads in the Tustin Legacy planned community, as the Tustin City Council has dubbed the 1,600-acre base’s afterlife.

“Is [the hangar] compatible with the reuse plan and is it economically viable?” asked Tustin City Manager William A. Huston. “If not, the city . . . must decide what to do with it.”

The city’s decision on the hangar will require approval from the Federal Advisory Council for Historic Preservation and the U.S. Marine Corps, Shingleton said.

If the city decides to demolish its hangar, it would be required to create archives about the 183-foot-high structure, which was completed in 1943.

So far federal and Marine officials have concentrated preservation discussions on the northerly hangar inherited by the county. But, officials explain, the fate of both hangars remains up in the air, largely depending on financing.