Proposals filed for reuse of Brunswick air station Housing for women leaving prison among suggestions

BRUNSWICK – An animal shelter and a transition facility for women getting out of prison are among the proposals put forth for reuse of the Brunswick Naval Air Station after it closes in 2011.

Other ideas already trickling in to the Brunswick Local Redevelopment Authority include housing for homeless families, a preschool day care center and a shelter for homeless war veterans.

More proposals are anticipated before the Monday afternoon filing deadline.

“It is another milestone,” said Jeffrey Jordan, the authority’s deputy director. “It will give the authority a much better idea of the level of interest in public sector projects.”

Applicants will present their plans Wednesday at the authority’s regular meeting, with a final decision scheduled June 20 on which projects move on to the next phase of reuse planning.

The ultimate decision on which reuse requests are granted rests with the Navy, which can turn over property for free or can charge either a discounted rate or full price.

The authority said more than 30 state, local, nonprofit and homeless shelter provider agencies have toured the 3,300-acre installation in recent weeks or shown interest in acquiring property there.

The Redevelopment Authority is also considering commercial use of base property as it moves along with zoning plans for the site.

Government and nonprofit applicants include the Coastal Humane Society of Brunswick, which is seeking 20 acres of base property for a new shelter to replace its cramped and outdated facility.

The Maine Department of Corrections will seek ownership of a base firing range as well as the Bachelor Quarters building, which could be used to house transitional female prisoners.

The Volunteers of America will seek ownership of a building that could provide housing for up to 12 homeless veterans.

Brunswick-based Tedford Housing is interested in acquiring the Navy Lodge to house eight homeless families.

Coastal Economic Development Corp., a nonprofit agency in Bath, wants to acquire the base’s child care center for its Head Start preschool program.