Hungry for housing production, officials are looking to the massive, largely state-owned Joint Base Cape Cod, which includes parts of the towns of Bourne, Falmouth, Mashpee and Sandwich.
The 22,000-hectare base includes 7,000 hectares in the southern foothills known as the ‘Cantonment Area’. MassDevelopment, the state’s development finance agency, announced plans Friday to find a consultant who will conduct a two-year planning process and master plan for that area, which will be used for training support facilities such as simulators, hangars and housing for military families operated by the US Coast Guard.
“Our military installations are important economic engines across Massachusetts, bringing jobs and investment to our state,” said Yvonne Hao, chair of the MassDevelopment Board and Secretary of Economic Development. “In collaboration with the Adjutant General and Joint Base Cape Cod, MassDevelopment will facilitate the development of a master plan that optimizes the use of this critical state asset and paves the way for future housing and employment at the site.”
MassDevelopment said the master plan’s objectives include supporting efforts toward ongoing military and support operations and facilitating housing production and economic development on already developed surplus properties served by transportation and utility infrastructure, including wastewater.
National Guard Adjutant General Gary Keefe said the base is the largest military training installation in New England, home to five military commands: the Mass. Army National Guard, Mass. Air National Guard, Cape Cod Space Force Station, US Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod and US Coast Guard Base Cape Cod.
“The impact of the base on the economy and on national defense will always be critical to its relevance,” Keefe said. “With future development in mind, I have asked MassDevelopment to look at options for some of our excess acreage use, which would potentially allow for a closer relationship with our community partners, and potentially accommodate Governor Healey’s goal of increasing securing affordable housing while continuing to be compatible and supportive of the current and future military missions at Joint Base Cape Cod.”
A 2014 state law authorized MassDevelopment to receive surplus property at the state’s Joint Base, including former military-leased parcels that are “excessive for their needs,” according to MassDevelopment.
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