Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
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.
Support for LAist comes from
Tustin is now planning what to do with about 500 acres of undeveloped land in the district dubbed Tustin Legacy.
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.
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.
Support for LAist comes from
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.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity. -
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
-
Hexavalent chromium is the same carcinogen Erin Brockovich warned about in the 1990s, but researchers say more study is needed on the potential health effects of nanoparticles detected earlier this year. Experts will answer questions at a webinar this evening.
Best of LAist