Life After Base Closure in Plattsburgh, NY: A Case History

When Plattsburgh Air Force Base closed in 1995, skeptics said economic recovery would take 25 years. But PARC (Plattsburgh Airbase Redevelopment Corp.) got the job done in half that time. This case study of life after base closure is a companion to "Flying High Again," PARC's history book written and published by CorporateHistory.net.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• military
• history
• business
• Plattsburgh
• CorporateHistory.net

[5ny7]

I was born on Plattsburgh AFB back in 1966. Does the hospital still stand, or was it one of the buildings that was demolished?

[corporatehistory]

@5ny7 Hospital was razed in 2006. It stood unused for years but was full of equipment that the USAF had left behind. It was like a ghost town inside; still had pictures on the walls. Local docs and the County Sheriff's Office purchased some of the abandoned equipment. The rest was donated by PARC to the North Country Mission of Hope for use in Nicaragua (with then-Congressman John McHugh's help). The donated stuff was considered obsolete here but still useful there. -- Marian C. (author)

[jr242365]

FB-11 Crew Chief AC 68-250. 1978 - 1980, then moved over to FTD 1980 - 1982. Both my of my children were born in P-bugh.

[daschr1]

FMS Metals Processing Mar '83 - Sept '87

[Jaci1971]

@rhblakeman I grew up in Champaign, not far from Chanute. In fact, I occasionally was on those TWA flights from San Antonio to CMI via St. Louis full of airmen going for additional training at Chanute. I never felt safer on a plane!

[Jaci1971]

@rhblakeman I know you posted this two years ago, but if you're still looking for Dirk, please send me a message.

[MoltenMozzarella]

My father was stationed there in '72 to'75. We lived on Idaho Ave. I went to Northside Elementary on the base. The school was great. My teachers name was Mr. Bruno. He was the best. I remember we rode our bikes to the old base to go swimming in Lake Champlain, man was that water cold. The winters where awesome for us kids but my father hated it and got stationed to Barksdale AFB in Bossier City, LA. There are several lakes around that area, man was that water hot. lol

[dnbrasbold]

Plattsburgh AFB was my first duty station after basic training. I was assighned to the 360 CSG, Base Reproduction (Print Shop). I met my wife there, we were married there in the chapel on the old base. Plattsburgh, I will never forget her!

[me1u24321]

I was a 462 (weapons loading) in the 380th MMS Aug 1984 to Oct 1985.

[splatter96]

I worked on the FB-11 simulator in '83 and '84. I still miss the sub shop just off base - I think it was called The Station, but I remember they had a killer sub called the 4th Ward Special that had meatballs, sausage, ham, peppers, onions, provolone, red sauce . . . . hoo, man, what a sandwich!