UPDATE: Important Save Hangar One Meeting, Tomorrow!

Telstar Logistics recently told you about efforts by preservationists to prevent the US Navy from tearing down Hangar One, a prominent Silicon Valley landmark left over from the Age of the Airships.  Now we've received word from the folks at the Save Hangar One Committee that there will be an important public meeting held on Thursday, January 10, 2008, just outside the main gate at Moffett Federal Airfield:

The Moffett Restoration Advisory Board will meet Thursday, January 10, 7:00-9:30 p.m., in Building 943, just outside the Moffett main gate.

Agenda items:

• Welcome, Approve Minutes, Announcement/Review of Action Items (40 minutes)
• Regulatory Update (15 minutes)
• Hangar One Report Updated and Overview of Structural Analysis by Scott Gromko of the Navy (85 minutes)

In other news, the Navy last month announced that its long-awaited report on Hangar One would be delayed, to give the Navy time to conduct a “structural analysis of the hangar’s steel frame.” This was taken as a good sign by the folks at Save Hangar One Committee, as it suggested that the Navy was taking a harder look at potential preservation options.  As reported in the Palo Alto Daily News:

Advocates of preserving Hangar One say they're somewhat optimistic about news last week that the U.S. Navy will perform a structural analysis of the historic structure's steel frame before deciding its fate.

Prior to that announcement, the Navy was slated to release this month its evaluation of what should be done with the hangar at Moffett Field.

That evaluation has been postponed pending completion of the steel frame analysis, according to a letter from Darren Newton, environmental coordinator for Base Realignment and Closure. Newton could not be reached this week by phone to discuss the matter.

The Navy, which once owned and operated the structure that used to house giant airships, is now responsible for cleaning the site, which is known to contain toxins. The Navy previously recommended razing the Depression-era hangar, upsetting some residents who want it to be preserved.

"It's a good thing that the Navy is doing the structural analysis, because there really wouldn't be a need to look at those issues if demolition was the only option," Lenny Siegel of the Save Hangar One Committee. wrote in an e-mail to the Daily News.

Will the Navy spare this stunning piece of aviation history?  We've got our fingers crossed. As Steve Williams from Save Hangar One explained to us in a private email:

At the Thursday meeting, the Navy will present the results of that structural analysis, which may determine whether they again propose to demolish the hangar or instead remove the skin so a new fabric skin can be applied.  The cost of re-skinning the hangar is significant, so strong attendance will demonstrate to the Navy and NASA that the community believes it's worth it! 

If you can, please show your support by attending tomorrow's meeting at 7 pm in Building 943, just outside the Main Gate at Moffett Field in Mountain View, California.

LINKS:
Save Hangar One Committee (Volunteer group working to save Hangar One)

USS Macon (ZRS-5) (Wikipedia entry)

Moffett Users (Unofficial airfield weblog)

PREVIOUSLY:
The Fight to Save Hangar One, Silicon Valley's Monument to the Age of the Airships

Comments

[Jon H]

I went to a special presentation about the USS Macon reconnaissance mission down into the depths off of the Monterey Coast. It was fascinating. There are desks and componenents, including one of the orignal sparrowhawk-something-or-other planes! You can still see the logo on the canvas of the wing!

[r.s.]

Hangar 1 is a beautiful structure, a reminder of an era long gone. The hangar should be preserved barring any danger to life or limp. I drove past Moffet a few years back and was struck again by it's beauty. We are too quick in America to remove visible proof of our proud history. Keep Hangar 1 shining in the California sun.

r.s.

[r.s.]

Hangar 1 is a beautiful structure, a reminder of an era long gone. The hangar should be preserved barring any danger to life or limp. I drove past Moffet a few years back and was struck again by it's beauty. We are too quick in America to remove visible proof of our proud history. Keep Hangar 1 shining in the California sun.

r.s.

[Jamison]

Growing up on the peninsula, NASA AMES/Moffett Field was a regular field trip destination and I can't do justice or even really remember the impression Hangar 1 had on me a kid. Maybe the word "big" is that needs to be said, but I remember being fascinated by the trussing and trying to work out in my head how I could make something like it out of Lego.

In the late 90's, NASA held an open house and I had a chance to visit Hangar 1 again, a little older, but just as excited to see... no that's not right... to stand just feet away from lunar rocks brought back from our Moon on the Apollo missions.

A few years later I was working at Netscape in Mountain View and will never forget walking across campus in one of the first days following the Columbia accident looking over towards Hangar 1, framed perfectly between two buildings with the campus flagpole flying the American flag at half staff.

I just can't imagine Hanger 1 gone.