Good evening – I wanted to make sure you had seen the article below describing some of the positive investments being made at Sub Base New London.  You can find a video of Secretary Penn’s remarks before Congressman Courtney on the House Armed Services Committee, in which he refers to SUBASE as an “enduring” one, here. 
Neil
Capt. Ginda shares SUBASE bright future at community update
By: Navy New London Public Affairs
Naval Submarine Base New London Commanding Officer, Capt. Mark Ginda quoted Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Installations & Environment B.J. Penn in beginning his remarks during the annual "Groton Business Update" forum, sponsored by the Groton Business Association last Thursday at the Groton Inn and Suites.
"At a recent House Armed Services Committee hearing, Secretary Penn said that SUBASE was 'an enduring base,' and I guess that's all you really want to hear from me. Thank you," joked Ginda, feigning a return to his seat.
But with a smile, he returned to tell the gathering of some 40 local business leaders and public officials about the base's bright future as significant investment was taking place.

"We're continuing to rebuild piers and recapitalize the waterfront," said Ginda, as he discussed the on-going, $30 million Pier 6 project. The heart of the project will result in a new pier almost twice the width of the old, at 65 feet, and some 500 feet long.
The new Pier 6 will join Pier 17 as fully functioning modern piers, and Ginda noted that there is momentum for additional pier replacement and modernization.

"The Pier 31 replacement has been included in the fiscal year 2009 MILCON (military construction) budget and there should be more in the near future," said Ginda.
Additionally, Ginda noted two projects included in the 2008 defense authorization that will soon be taking shape: a nearly $12 million new waterfront operations center and a $9 million new building for the Submarine Learning Center.
Military construction aside, Ginda also discussed two areas of pursuit that will enhance the base through different means: demolition and leasing.

A long awaited, major demolition project is near award, stated Ginda. Razing more than 35 buildings and structures through this nearly $13 million undertaking, the total project will result in more than 400,000 square feet of demolition on the base.
"We're clearly making way for the base of the future," said Ginda.
It is a future in which private entities can play a part through enhanced use leases (EULs), according to Ginda.
An EUL is a method for funding construction or renovations on military property by allowing a private developer to lease underutilized property, with rent paid by the developer in the form of cash or in-kind services.

SUBASE has two such EUL opportunities. The first involves the prospect of developing up to some 43,500 sq. ft. of base property in an area south of SUBASE's existing power substation. An industry form on the opportunity will be held locally on May 13.

While not as far along in the process as the first, the second EUL possibility is the one that Ginda is most excited about. It has the potential to impact the quality of life of the base's large junior and single Sailor populations.

Through this EUL, SUBASE would offer some 4.34 acres of property at the south east corner of the base along Crystal Lake Road and Route 12 for possible retail development. Ginda envisions some form of establishment to which young Sailors, without the benefit of transportation, could easily walk and enjoy the chance to socialize with members of the community.

"Yes," concluded Ginda, "with this type of on-going investment and development, things are looking very bright on the base."
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Neil McKiernan
Senior Legislative Assistant | Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-2)
215 Cannon HOB | Washington, DC 20515
P: 202.225.2076 | F: 202.225.4977
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