"We are exploring the potential advantage of that site in our effort to enhance the air force base," Alan Macdonald, senior vice president of government and military affairs for MassDevelopment, tells GlobeSt.com. Macdonald points out that the base is the ninth largest employer in the state based on revenue and is a significant contributor to the regional economy.

The property eyed for redevelopment is owned by the Navy. The push to develop the site comes, says Macdonald, as the secretary of defense prepares a report that produces a list of which bases will be closed. The process is currently under way and will be completed by the end of 2005.

The base focuses on electronics systems projects and it is an acquisition center. Macdonald acknowledges that it is in danger of being closed. He says his agency is taking a two-pronged strategy to getting the government to keep it open. The first step is demonstrating that its presence is critical to current and future capabilities of the US military. If that is successful, Macdonald says they then need to demonstrate that the facility can accommodate that mission. "The US government is looking for closures as part of a consolidation effort," says Macdonald. "We need to demonstrate that we can add on in an effective way."

The 46-acre parcel, emphasizes Macdonald, "is potentially a valuable asset in making that argument." MassDevelopment envisions developing lab and scientific office space on the site that could be used by both private sector and government companies. The agency is in the process of exploring the availability of the land, the environmental issues and the cost factor.