$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."

FMI: www.ci.mtnview.ca.us/city_hall/city_managers_office/moffett_field_information.asp