On Friday, September 30, 2005, about 90 people attended the first Community Support Group meeting, held at the Historic Santa Maria Inn, and were briefed on the conceptual plan for the use of 66 acres just outside the main gate at Vandenberg Air Force Base, right on Highway One. It's called the California Space Center.
The California Space Center is a multi-purpose, multi-year project. The vision includes facilities for launch viewing, conferencing, visitor attractions, a space education multi-purpose area, and a mission support complex.
From the poster (link below): "The California Space Center will highlight the past, present and future of Vandenberg Air Force Base, including key space contributions of the 30th Space Wing, the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), NASA Kennedy Space Center West, and Vandenberg-based space enterprise contractors. As envisioned in this early stage, the project would, in addition, celebrate the role of the Chumash Indians, the first inhabitants of the area, whose mythology includes rich references to the sky and the stars. The Center will also highlight the Air Force's stewardship of the local environment."
The California Space Authority (CSA) is pursuing a long-term lease with the U.S. Air Force for this 66-acre piece. Seed dollars, additional strategic partners, and stakeholder and policymaker support letters (such as the ones linked below) are being sought.
Initial strategic partners in this project are Delaware North Companies, Westberg + White Architects and Planners, Diani Building Corp., TetraTech, and Space Information Laboratories.
The continental breakfast at this meeting was compliments of the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Documents available:
Meeting Agenda [PDF, 28 kb]
Project Poster [PDF, 152 kb]
Project Rendering [PDF, 200 kb]
Letter of Support: Allan Hancock College [PDF, 168 kb]
Letter of Support: 30th Space Wing, U.S. Air Force, Col. Jack Weinstein [PDF, 140 kb]
Letter of Support: U.S.Air Force Space Command, Gen. Lance Lord [PDF, 116 kb]
Letter of Support: San Luis Obispo Board of Supervisors, Khatchik Achadjian [PDF, 124 kb]
Letter of Support: City of Lompoc, Dick DeWees [PDF, 144 kb]
Letter of Support: Congresswoman Lois Capps [PDF, 188 kb]
Letter of Support: Space Information Labs (SIL), Edmund Burke [PDF, 156 kb]
Next Steps (Word doc)
Resolution of Support from the County of Santa Barbara (PDF, 232 kb)
Resolution of Support from the City of Lompoc (PDF, 780 kb)
Resolution of Support from the City of Santa Maria (GIF file, 120 kb)
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| Ray Deutsch of Westberg + White Architects and Planners addresses the group. |
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Paul Klock, 30SW/Vandenberg Air Force Base, explains how the base is supporting this effort. |
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| Steve Geiss, Delaware North Companies, describes how his company has been operating and improving the Kennedy Space Center's Visitor Center in Florida. |
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Isaac Kos-Read, Townsend Public Affairs, identifies several potential funding sources. |
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| Kevin McNamara, Tetra Tech, offers insights into the environmental assessment process. |
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Ray Deutsch of Westberg + White Architects and Planners and Andrea Seastrand of the California Space Authority take questions at the end of the meeting. |
