SELFRIDGE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, MICH -- Officials here announced today the results of a feasibility study and market analysis that looks to bringenhanced-use leasing and future development to the base.

Brig. Gen. Michael Peplinski, 127th Wing commander, and a team from the Army Corps of Engineers met this morning with community leaders and senior military representatives of the base's tenant units to explain the results of the study completed by The Metis Group, LLC.

"Basically, the results of the study were favorable and indicated that we should press forward with the process of bringing in a developer to address three separate zones on the base," says Gen. Peplinski. "We're very pleased with the findings' positively supporting our initial concepts for these areas, particularly zone 2, which will be considered for a military retiree community."

Zone 2 covers much of the current officer housing in the southeast corner of the base. The housing is considered historic, but is very old and will be vacated when the U.S. Army Garrison-Michigan leaves Selfridge per the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure commission. These plans would also maintain viability of the current golf course in this area. Neither housing nor the golf course can be operated by Air National Guard units.

Positive consideration was also found in an area slated for administrative offices and possible maritime uses with a secured shoreline along the northeast portion of the base. The southwest corner of the base was considered for industrial development. With the local industrial market slow, other uses will be considered for that area, which include a possible Border Patrol expansion as they hope to bring in new missions to the base.

Enhanced-use leasing, under Section 2667 of title 10, United States Code, allows the Department of Defense to put a modest amount of its non-excess, but otherwise not fully utilized property to productive use by allowing non-federal entities such as state and local governments and private sector firms to lease and develop the property with uses that are synergistic with the installation's missions.

As the base moves forward with its plans, Gen. Peplinski vows to work closely with the surrounding communities. "The community has been good neighbors to us and we hope to be good neighbors to them. What we don't want to do is create a competitive environment for the community; rather, we want to enhance our community." The next step in the process will be an industry forum on June 26 to explain the project and its concepts to interested developers and companies.

The Metis Group will develop and market the concept into an official solicitation and invite thousands of national, regional and local developers and companies to that forum within the next few days.

Please contact 127th Wing Public Affairs at (586)307-5576 should you need more information regarding this press release. More information regarding EUL can be found at http://eul.army.mil