TRP NEWS, March 1997 Edited for web site publication

TRP Leads the Fight for Alternate Uses

Demonstrating that there are better uses for MCAS El Toro than the proposed mega-airport, TRP has been instrumental in introducing two exciting ideas for reuse. The proposals are for a sports complex and for a state-of-the-art theme park.

The sports complex, shown in the drawing to the right, is centered around an octagonal-shaped hotel that encircles an 80,000 seat stadium. Also included in the plan are an exhibition hall, a convention center and other sports related facilities. The complex would utilize only 440 acres of the 4,700 acres available.

The theme park, proposed by Wonder-Works Entertainment Group, would be called Planet Earth and would be a high-tech, interactive space-motif park. This use would require about 100 acres.

TRP Executive Director Bill Kogerman was enthusiastic over these proposals.

"What's important is that these are just the first two viable Ideas to come before us. We've said all along that if we let the free market determine the best use for El Toro, all of Orange County would benefit, not just the few special interests. We will continue to seek out the entrepreneurs and the people with the vision needed for the highest and best development of this site," said Kogerman.

Reaction from supporters of the mega-airport, including the Orange County bureaucracy, was predictably negative. The essence of their response was that these uses should not be considered since they do not "complement the airport."

When informed of the County's response, Kogerman said, "This just shows why we can't believe their promises to minimize any airport impacts. All they care about is forcing their plan onto the residents of south Orange County. We'll continue to fight their attempts will all of our strength. We'll continue to find better and more appropriate uses."

Details of Stadium/Theme Park Proposals

The recent proposals for alternate uses of MCAS El Toro represent the tip of the free market iceberg. These two plans are the first viable ideas for non-aviation uses, not the conceptual guesses of an Orange County planner.

The stadium complex group is headed by Michael O'Hara, a former top aide to Peter Ueberroh during the 1984 Olympic Games. According to O'Hara, over 40% of the $500-million cost has already been secured from the Tata Group, a multinational corporation based in New Delhi.

The proposed complex includes a unique hotel-stadium design, with a 3,000 room hotel built surrounding an 80,000 seat, open-air stadium. The stadium is designed to serve as the future home of a National Football League (NFL) team. Adjacent to this structure would be an "NFL Experience" exhibition hall and a 350,000 square foot convention center.

Additional features of the plan include a baseball complex, an upgrade and expansion of the existing golf course to championship quality and an auto grand prix facility. The grand prix course would be designed to encircle the current runways.

According to O'Hara, "We're offering folks an alternative vision. We see it as something very exciting, something to build on, something that could really catch on in Orange County."

The Planet Earth proposal is from a group that has a proven record in this field. The Wonder-Works Entertainment Group has built, and is currently operating, Planet Earth facilities in Huntsville, Alabama and in Shanghai, China.

Their experience with the Huntsville operation has led them to project an income of $150- to $200 million a year after only three years of operation. The park would cost approximately $40-million to build and would be perfectly synergistic with the proposed stadium complex.

"We believe that this idea has the potential to eventually bring in up to $1 billion in business to Orange County each year," said John Palmer, general manager of Wonder-Works.

The official Orange County response to these proposals borders on ridiculous. According to the Los Angeles Times, county spokeswoman Courtney Wiercioch "all but dismissed the project …(because) the project fails to complement…an airport." In addition, Wiercioch was upset that the proposal was through TRP instead of directly to the County,.

Wiercioch was basically saying that any proposals should be made through the County, obviously so that they can reject all projects that fail to "complement an airport."

"Obviously, with that kind of an attitude, it's no wonder that the County can't get good proposals. TRP will continue to seek the highest and best uses," said Bill Kogerman.

TRP Visits Washington DC, Again

TRP co-chairs Bert Hack and Bill Kogerman spent the week of February 24 through 27 in Washington DC lobbying decision- makers on the future of El Toro.

"We had a very successful trip. We were able to see officials at the Office of Economic Adjustment (in charge of the reuse process) and to meet with several members of the House of Representatives, the chief aides for Senators Feinstein and Boxer and with officials at the White House. We kept emphasizing the need for an independent study of reuse options by the federal government. The response from everyone was extremely positive," said Hack.

This is the third trip to Washington DC by TRP officials. "It's critical that we keep going back. TRP is the voice of the people of Orange County and we are the only citizens group that is lobbying on the national level. We have to remember that the ultimate decision on the future of El Toro will be made at the federal level," added Hack.

Legal Update – Cases Consolidated

Negotiations to consolidate the south Orange County lawsuit with the TRP lawsuit are underway. If successful, the case will be moved to San Diego.

Are Your Dues Due?

TRP depends on contributions from our members to finance our efforts to stop the airport at El Toro. Funds are needed for our lawsuit, our lobbying efforts and the production of this newsletter.

Are you up-to-date on your dues. A check of your mailing label will show you if you have made a contribution since October 1996, when TRP became a membership organization. If there is one or more asterisk (*) by your name, then your dues are current. If there are no asterisks, then please consider sending us a contribution. Basic dues are $25 per year; please consider a larger contribuition.

Leisure World Fundraiser Planned for April 27

A gala dinner, auction, raffle and entertainment affair has been announced for Sunday, April 27 in Leisure World. This is the third time for this event, the past two have been spectacularly successful.

Tickets for this event are $30, with dinner and some very special entertainment and guest speakers. There will be a no-host bar.

For more information on this event, call Gloria Marienthal at 830-7336. To order tickets, call Beverly Margolis at 588-0271. Both previous Leisure World fund raising events sold out, so order your tickets now.

Legal Strategy – Who's in Charge?

TRP has been receiving numerous phone calls concerning statements made by the Irvine-based Project '99 regarding the current litigation to stop the airport. In recent mailers, Project '99 has alleged that they are the group taking the lead in legal action and are responsible for fund raising.

The facts on current legal action are as follows:

1. There are 2 environmental lawsuits filed against the County – one by TRP and the other by south County cities.

2.The TRP citizens' lawsuit was filed by TRP and its Directors.

3.Legal strategy is coordinated by TRP's Directors and its legal advisors on behalf of the membership. 4. No other organization is involved with anti-airport suits.

5. The only effective way to support the citizens' lawsuit is to contribute directly to TRP.

Help Plan a TRP Benefit

TRP is planning a major benefit to raise funds to support the ongoing litigation against Orange County. Get involved! We are particularly in need of people who know major entertainers or how to reach them. To help, please call Sergio Prince at 472-5414.

Contribute to TRP -- NOW

Even if your dues are current, please consider a contribution to TRP. This is a critical time for TRP in our efforts to stop the airport. Our attorneys need funding in the next three months to prepare our case, a case that can send the El Toro planning effort back to the beginning. We must continue to lobby the officials in Washington DC for a fair hearing on El Toro reuse. Please, contribute to our effort.