$33 Million Could Restore 'Hangar One' at Moffett Field
NASA says it is evaluating an offer from Google executives to
provide $33 million to fund a complete restoration of Hangar One, a
historic landmark at Moffett Federal Airfield, a former blimp base
near Mountain View, California. All they're asking in return is to
lease part of the floor space from NASA for their private jets when
the work is completed. That idea isn't going over too well with
some locals.
The Silicon Valley Mercury News reports that Google CEO Larry
Page, Co-Founder Sergey Brin and Chairman Eric Schmidt own a
company called H211 which manages their personal aircraft. NASA
can't afford to renovate the hangar, and has already started
removing the siding to prepare for demolition. Once the siding's
gone, the framework will be exposed to the elements and expensive
scaffolding which could be re-used for the re-siding project will
be removed. Those pressures make time of the essence.
History buffs and lawmakers at all levels seem thrilled with the
offer from H211, but some Mercury News readers worry that the
hangar will end up becoming a gigantic Google billboard, or that
private jets are so socially offensive they would send a bad
message.
Reader Maria Lopez says of Google, "Remember the 99%? They
obviously are the 1% who should give back to society. Not use money
as a carrot to use a historical hanger as their personal
garage...Google guys, young men are sacrificing their lives in Iraq
and Afghanistan. What is your contribution to America? More
greed?"
There are also fans of the plan. Michael Hastings posts, "As a
life long Mountain View resident, a fan of Google, and a member of
the military, I'm in full support. I joined the Naval Sea Cadet
program many years ago housed in Hanger 1, and I think if Google
wants to pay to restore it, and wants part of the floor space in
exchange, great. There is plenty of room in there."
The entire conversation may be moot if NASA doesn't make a
decision soon. H211's offer was made back in September, and getting
the necessary permits and contracts done will take time. NASA
Spokesman Bob Jacobs tells the Mercury News the proposal still
hasn't been vetted. Meanwhile, without its siding, the building is
vulnerable.
Ken Ambrose, director of operations for H211, told a Thursday
meeting of the Hangar One Subcommittee of the Moffett Field
Restoration Advisory Board, "Months have gone by, and I feel a real
sense of urgency with the bones being exposed. A decision should
have been made by now. It's quarter to midnight as far as I can
see."