Delegate John Bohanan hosted a community meeting at the Bay District Volunteer Fire Department Social Hall July 7, intent on tackling issues affecting those inside and outside of NAS Pax River’s gates. Among the topics Bohanan addressed, the air station’s plans for Enhanced Use Lease projects took the lead.

Bohanan explained, in layman’s terms, the problem facing the Navy, saying space is “full up” inside the gate. Many personnel are working in cramped, substandard office spaces or temporary buildings and the Navy is looking to optimize their use of space with EUL projects. Seven sites onboard Pax River have been selected for improvements, but like everyone in a waning economy, the Navy is short on resources and looking for solutions.
“If they have a problem inside the gate, we have a problem outside the gate,” Bohanan said.
NAS Pax River is a major economic stabilizer for St. Mary’s County and local government is eager to reach a mutually beneficial solution. The County, Bohanan said, has been “pro-active” in trying to accommodate the base’s needs for growth, indicating 20 acres near Gate 3 and space at Lexington Manor as potential room for Navy expansion.
While Bohanan agreed with comments that the Navy’s initial solution is “not perfect,” he urged industry leaders to help craft a better one. After the Navy’s EUL Industry Day in June, where community input was gathered, a Request for Quotation (RFQ) is expected to be issued July 16.
Adelle M. Pierce, who lives in southern Anne Arundel County and owns AM Pierce and Associates in Lexington Park, suggested learning from the unintended consequences experienced during Ft. Meade’s latest EUL project. “This can’t be pitched as something that’s good for the local community,” she stated, later pointing out the opportunity for job growth and fair bidding on these projects is often lost to bigger players.
Local developers and contractors hope to also grow right along with the Navy and seize opportunities provided by these EUL projects, but show concern about competing with the larger, national firms.
Maryland Bank and Trust President Tom Daugherty warned that local lenders would not be eager to finance the smaller developers and contractors because of the many, often overlooked, requirements of a job on the base. Union contracts, the very particular contract process and a difference in costs would “throw off bids,” he said.
Bohanan said EUL projects at both Aberdee

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