WASHINGTON, D.C. - The largest land transfer to date under the Army Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) 2005 was executed at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers headquarters Sept. 1.
The transfer of 14,298 acres of real estate and associated personal property of the former Lone Star Army Ammunition Plant in Bowie County, Texas, from Army ownership to civilian reuse represented another major milestone under the BRAC 05 program.
This transfer occurred less than one year after the operational closure of the facility, minimizing deterioration of the facilities and, more importantly, supporting the retention of 300 jobs and providing the local community the opportunity to generate new jobs and begin economic redevelopment.
Joseph F. Calcara, deputy assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations and Housing, signed a memorandum of agreement documenting the approval of an Economic Development Conveyance to the Red River Redevelopment Authority (RRRA). Scott L. Whiteford, director of real estate for USACE, and officials from the RRRA and Day & Zimmermann-Lone Star LLC (D&Z), were on hand to sign deeds, a purchase and sale agreement, and associated easements to implement the conveyance of 8,874 acres of property to the RRRA and 5,424 acres to D&Z.
"Both transactions represent a significant achievement," Calcara said "This milestone is a result of almost two years of diligent discussions by all parties and with Texas state agencies, and assures that the property can be returned to productive economic reuse in accordance with the plans submitted by the local redevelopment authority. This accomplishment truly reflects what can be achieved when people work together to achieve a common goal."
These transfers were made under federal BRAC authority and conveyance terms that foster job retention and promote job creation. The D&Z agreement also provides that the company will support the Army's environmental cleanup efforts at the former ammunition plant that had been in operation since World War II. The transfers are made possible by an early transfer approval signed by Texas Gov. Rick Perry on Aug. 25, which allows Army funded cleanup and community redevelopment to occur simultaneously.
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