Military base closure and redevelopment, and federal property disposition generally, involve a multi-step process with complex legal issues that include environmental cleanup, risk management, property transfer, land use planning, zoning, public finance, environmental review and the regulation of subsequent uses such as commercial airports and residential developments. We have successfully represented clients in each of these aspects of the redevelopment process.
Kaplan Kirsch’s work on active, former and transitioning military installations is a natural extension of our other practice areas. Our lawyers have years of experience in land use, transportation and environmental matters that readily apply to military bases. We employ the same strategic, result-oriented approach to all of our project development efforts. Our deep background also makes us comfortable operating within a politically charged environment like base closure.
Some of the greatest legal challenges in base closure and redevelopment involve land use planning, entitlements, environmental remediation and the negotiation of agreements with master developers, builders and others responsible for redevelopment. We have been able to help private entities, local governments and communities convert development plans into legally and financially sound redevelopment projects.
We also have been actively involved in the transition of military airfields to commercial use for passenger service and air cargo. We represented several clients in the environmental review that precedes airfield conversion and in the application of federal aviation law to the new commercial enterprise. This transition process is exceedingly complicated since, like many other aspects of redevelopment, it involves the application of an entirely new set of legal requirements and standards.