Military base closure and redevelopment is a multi-step process involving complex legal issues, including but not limited to environmental clean-up, 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. Kaplan Kirsch & Rockwell attorneys have successfully represented clients on each of these aspects of the redevelopment process.

The firm's work on active, former and transitioning military installations is a natural extension of our other practice areas. The firm's lawyers have many years experience in land use, transportation and environmental matters that readily is applied to military bases. The firm applies the same strategic, result-oriented approach to all of our project development efforts. The firm's project experience 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, and the negotiation of agreements with master developers, builders and others responsible for redevelopment. Because of our experience, the firm has been able to help private entities, local governments and communities convert thoughtful development plans into legally and financially sound redevelopment projects.

The firm's lawyers also have been actively involved in the transition of military airfields to commercial use, for both passenger service and air cargo. The firm has represented several clients in the environmental review that must precede 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. Currently, the firm represents a community in the Northeast attempting to consolidate its commercial airport with a former military airfield. The firm previously represented the proprietor of a major hub airport incorporate the assets of a former air reserve center into the airport.

In addition to representing the owners and prospective owners of former military airfields, the firm's lawyers also have represented communities surrounding these installations to help ensure that the impacts of a commercial airport are addressed adequately. The firm assisted a Northeastern community in promoting the adoption of limits on the operation of a former military airfield that now serves as a successful commercial airport.

One of the firm's partners has been intimately involved in the base redevelopment process as a member of the board of the Lowry Redevelopment Authority. Lowry is one of the most successful redevelopment projects in the country, and the redevelopment authority achieved this success by skillfully navigating the many challenges facing former military installations. Most recently, the firm is representing the master developer of a bioscience park at the former Fitzsimons Army Medical Center in Aurora, Colorado.



Norton Air Force Base, CA

Buckley Air Force Base, CO

Fitzsimons Army Medical Center, CO

Lowry Air Force Base, CO

Homestead Air Force Base, FL

O'Hare Air Reserve Forces Facility, IL

Pease Air Force Base, NH

Kirtland Air Force Base, NM

Plattsburgh Air Force Base, NY