Real estate transaction to benefit March ARB Published March 26, 2008 452 Air Mobility Wing MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, Calif. -- In March, the Air Force held an "Industry Day" in the city of Norwalk, Calif., and here. The event gave real estate developers, building contractors, private equity lenders and others a chance to take possession of an old defense fuels farm in exchange for improvements at March ARB. About 60 people attended the first day of the two-day event. In February, the Air Force announced its intentions to exchange about 50 acres of property, commonly known as the Norwalk Defense Fuel Supply Point, for military construction projects. The Air Force will transfer the property under the Real Property Exchange Program. The RPX program allows the Air Force to exchange its property and receive as consideration the construction of replacement facilities or additions or alterations to existing facilities on government property. Norwalk's master plan and zoning designation will determine how the property is used in the future. By federal law, the Air Force must obtain fair market value for the property. Air Force officials shared their plans with Norwalk city officials and will continue to work with the city during the disposal process. The Air Force intends to expedite property disposal to help economic development, job creation and to open the property to potential uses such as park, commercial and light industry. The Norwalk Defense Fuel Supply Point consists of Air Force property formerly used by the Defense Logistics Agency/Defense Energy Support Center to store and distribute fuel. The facility was built in 1923. In 1951, the Air Force acquired the 70-acre parcel. Over time, portions of the property went to a school and Holifield Park. In 1970, the remaining 50-acre parcel was transferred to the Defense Logistics Agency/Defense Energy Support Center under Air Force ownership. Different subcontractors have operated the property since that time. The property was declared excess to the military in 2001 and surplus to the federal government in 2004. Located at 15306 Norwalk Boulevard, the property is bound on the west by Norwalk Boulevard, on the north by Excelsior Drive, on the east by a public park, and on the south by a residential neighborhood. It consists of 12 above-ground tanks and associated piping, a truck loading facility, and numerous small buildings. When operations ceased at the property in 2001, the Defense Energy Support Center removed all fuel from the tanks, secured the tanks, and cleaned and shut down all pipelines. Details on the Norwalk Fuel Depot RPX were communicated at the event and posted to a web site for attendees.