Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana Explores Development Opportunities

Future Base Design describes an innovative initiative that encompasses several different lines of effort, all of which share the strategic goal of increasing installation resiliency and effectiveness in direct support of warfighter readiness and mission priorities. To do so, NAS Oceana is challenging the assumptions, concepts, and methods of shore support services traditionally offered at NAS Oceana with the intention of establishing a mission model responsive to the U.S. Navy’s place in the 21^st Century.

The Future Base Design concept would provide a plethora of new job opportunities and most importantly land that could be leased to private businesses to build new facilities. This program underscores the effectiveness of creativity and ingenuity in economic development strategies but also our commitment to support one of the most important contributors to the economic stability of the City.

The City of Virginia Beach has a long and proud history of supporting our military. NAS Oceana lies wholly within the City of Virginia Beach, and takes its role in the community very seriously. Additionally, many service members and civilians who work on base call the City of Virginia Beach home. As a result, NAS Oceana works closely with the City of Virginia Beach to achieve our respective goals. Once implemented, Future Base Design has the potential to create business development opportunities that will help strengthen our local economy.

The program provides jobs for our citizens who spend money in our community that ensures growth and additional job opportunities. In addition, these companies will be licensed as Virginia Beach businesses, who pay appropriate taxes that lessen the tax burden on our citizens.

We are interested in exploring partnerships for the following activities: community-based recreational, child care, lodging, intergovernmental support agreements and others.

Under the Future Base Design concept, NAS Oceana, in partnership with the City of Virginia Beach, could lease up to 1,100 acres of underutilized land on the installation to private businesses, creating opportunities for both the Navy and the private sector. Future Base Design is intended to reduce the Navy’s infrastructure costs, eliminate expenditures, and redirect savings toward its primary warfighting missions of enabling, generating, and increasing naval power. Future Base Design will also help drive economic and private business development by creating partnership opportunities that will integrate the public and private sectors to utilize the parcels creating mutually beneficial relationships.

NAS Oceana has initiated a requirements package for FBD Phase I (out lease of the identified perimeter parcels). Once NAS Oceana defines requirements, addresses environmental issues, and coordinates with the City, the requirements package will go through a review and coordination process internally and with the City of Virginia Beach.

Environmental staff members review all activities on government property for impact to the environment. NAS Oceana partners with USDA, Fish and Wildlife, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ), as needed for the current mission. A preliminary review of all proposals will be subject to a range of planning considerations; one of which may involve oversight and compliance within environmental regulations, as outlined by USACE, NEPA, the City of Virginia Beach, and the Commonwealth of Virginia.