One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
Tustin wants help deciding what should happen to a hulking, historic blimp hangar
The remaining Tustin blimp hangar has become a security concern after its twin burned down in November 2023.
(
Jae C. Hong
/
Associated Press
)
The city of Tustin is asking residents to weigh in on what should happen to the beloved hangar that is the city's most prominent icon.
Community discussions are underway to plan for the undeveloped parts of the former military base within city limits — including what to do with the historic World War II blimp hangar after its twin burned down in 2023.
The backstory
Marine Corps Air Station Tustin was built in 1942 as a base for blimps charged with patrolling the coastline for enemy craft during World War II. The base was closed in 1999, and the U.S. military has been slowly turning the land over to be redeveloped as neighborhoods, parks, schools, businesses and local government offices.
Tustin is now planning what to do with about 500 acres of undeveloped land in the district dubbed Tustin Legacy.
-
The change will mean CalOptima members who fall off Medi-Cal will remain eligible to enroll with the plan. -
The 2026 Orange County Fair is offering plenty of new food creations this year, including a PB&J bacon cheeseburger and a Dubai chocolate deep-fried Oreo. -
Proposed court decision says Marilyn “Mari” Barke will have to pay nearly $82,000 in penalty fees, as well as attorneys’ costs.
Tell me more about the fire
The massive, historic blimp hangars are among the largest freestanding wooden structures ever built. Their fate had been hotly debated for decades — raze them? preserve them? and if so, what for? — until November 2023, when a fire broke out in what’s known as the north hangar and quickly got out of control.
It engulfed one of the “twin” hangars on the property: The structure was so large that the flames burned for 24 days and spewed asbestos-laden debris as far as 10 miles away, costing taxpayers well over $100 million for cleanup.
Sponsored message
And the remaining hangar?
The city is now asking the public to weigh in on what should happen with the remaining blimp hangar and the surrounding undeveloped land. The hangar has been used to film commercials and movies. And it has historic and sentimental value for many residents and families of World War II veterans.
Finding the money to refurbish and maintain it for safe reuse would be a major challenge.
Here’s how you can get involved
- Visit the city’s booth at the Viva Tustin Celebration from 3 to 6 p.m. on May 2 at Frontier Park, 1400 Mitchell Ave.
- Go to a public meeting: The first one is scheduled for May 13 at the Annex, 15445 Lansdowne Road. (Time TBD.)
- Email or call the city with your thoughts: TustinLegacy@tustinca.org, (714) 788-5859.
- Learn about the Tustin Legacy development plan and sign up for updates on the city’s website.
- Watch the city’s video on the Tustin Legacy development update.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
