The site was returned to the city after the base closure.
And seeing through these base closures is only the first part of the challenge.
He battled with Bush over military base closures in his home state.
When Congress ordered the base closure, the shipyard employed 5,800 workers.
Threatened base closures are a part of life at Portsmouth since the 1960's.
In spite of much opposition from community members and leaders alike, the base closure was announced for September 30, 1997.
The subject of base closure had been considered numerous times during Chanute's proud 75-year history.
Redevelopment to help offset the economic loss of a base closure is usually a priority as well.
"Some of them are seeing that there might be some long-term benefits to having a base closure."
It represented the largest base closure in United States history up to that time.