Air Force, South Carolina pave way for historic property transfer

  • Published
  • By Air Force Real Property Agency
  • AFRPA / PA
An historical milestone in Air Force real estate transactions took place Sept. 1 with the signing of two documents that clear the way for the Air Force to transfer 22 Charleston Air Force Base housing units to the City of North Charleston in early FY 2012.

"This transaction represents the first of its kind for non-base closure Air Force property," said Assistant Secretary of the Air Force Installations, Environment and Logistics Terry Yonkers, who signed the property conveyance agreement Sept. 1. On Aug. 18, South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley signed the Finding of Suitability for Early Transfer. Together, the two signed documents clear a path for the transfer of the property to the city.

Yonkers said the transfer would not have been possible without timely assistance and cooperation of the professional staff at South Carolina Department of Health and the Environment and "our strong partnership" with the state of South Carolina.

The housing units, which sit on 24 acres at the North Charleston Military Family Housing Annex, were declared excess in 2000. Two parcels were transferred to the city and state in 2006 and 2007. The city recently approved a municipal purpose reuse plan, resulting in an urgent need to assume ownership of the remaining 15.9 acres as soon as possible. This plan includes potential expansion or development of new facilities for the City of North Charleston public works, police, fire and purchasing departments, providing employees and visitors ample space in which to work and park.

AFRPA acquires, manages and disposes of Air Force-controlled real property worldwide. The agency's Real Estate Transaction Division serves as the Air Force real property transactional experts, providing support and value to the Air Force's real estate domain, the warfighters, their families, and taxpayers.