[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 18 (Monday, January 30, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E215]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION TO CONVEY SURPLUS REAL PROPERTY BY SALE AT 
                     THE FORT ORD MILITARY COMPLEX

                                 ______


                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, January 30, 1995
  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing important legislation 
to convey surplus real property at the former Fort Ord Army 
reservation, by sale to the city of Seaside, CA. This legislation 
would, among other things, help implement the 1993 recommendation of 
the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission. In the 
Commission's 1993 report to the President, the Commission made specific 
recommendations for parcels of property to be disposed of by the 
Department of the Army, while recognizing the unique needs for 
supporting the military personnel remaining on the Monterey Peninsula. 
Specifically, the Commission directed the Department to dispose of all 
property, including the golf courses, not required to support the 
Presidio of Monterey and the Naval Postgraduate School. Accordingly, in 
1993, the Acting Secretary of the Army decided to sell the two Fort Ord 
golf courses to the city of Seaside, CA.
  Unfortunately, the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act does not 
permit the Commission to take into account the nonappropriated fund 
revenue needs which are supported by the golf course revenues. 
Accordingly, this legislation would address that need by allowing funds 
received by the Army for the sale of the golf courses to be deposited 
into the Army morale, welfare, and recreation account.
  The sale of the two Fort Ord golf courses to the city of Seaside is 
in accord with the Fort Ord preferred reuse alternative prepared by the 
federally recognized local redevelopment authority, the Fort Ord Reuse 
Authority [FORA]. As such, the Seaside purchase of the two Fort Ord 
golf courses will implement the community redevelopment plan as 
endorsed by S.B. 899, the State of California legislation creating the 
Fort Ord Reuse Authority.
  The legislation conveys approximately 477 acres, which consists of 
the two Fort Ord golf courses, Black Horse and Bayonet, and the surplus 
Hayes housing facilities which have been excessed and appropriately 
screened according to the Pryor process. The city of Seaside will be 
required to pay fair market value for the property. The legislation 
directs the proceeds from the sale of the golf courses to be deposited 
in the Department of the Army morale, welfare and recreation fund, and 
the proceeds from the sale of the housing into the DOD BRAC account.
  In the 103d Congress I authored legislation to convey certain surplus 
real property at Fort Ord to the California State University, and the 
University of California, the centerpieces of the community 
revitalization strategy. The legislation I am introducing today is 
another step in the community development reuse plan which is now 
falling into place. A single local governing entity has been formed, 
the 21st campus of the California State University is about to open, 
the BLM land at Fort Ord is being cleaned up by AmeriCorps 
participants, and the University of California's Science, Technology, 
Education, Policy Center is attracting investors.
  My legislation will move the process forward again by assisting the 
Army in divesting itself of the golf courses vis-a-vis the 1993 BRAC 
recommendation, at the same time it helps foster economic development 
in the city of Seaside, which has been adversely impacted by the 
closure of Fort Ord.


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