Great Park Cultural Terrace
home to the
Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum
PRESERVE HONOR INSPIRE
San Clemente City Council
ATTACHMENT 1
We are a group of Marine aviation historians, veterans, and enthusiasts who are dedicated to preserving the aviation history of the United States Marine Corps (USMC) and Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) El Toro (now Great Park).
MissionOur mission is to return the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum to its original home by providing financial resources and operational support for the relocation of the MCAS Miramar Command Museum to Irvine City’s Great Park,.
PurposeThe Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation is raising funds to return the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum to its original home and create a premier museum/tourist attraction in Orange County, honoring the history and legacy of Marine Corps Aviation, and excite today’s youth in aerospace and other STEM studies.
About Us
Preserving Marine Aviation for the Future
Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum
Brief History
• In June 1989 the Marine Corps Air Station El Toro Historical Foundation was founded to help preserve and commemorate the important history of Marine Aviation. • In 1999, the museum, its aircraft, artifacts, displays and staff were moved to MCAS Miramar as part of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC). • In 1999, the Marine Corps’ Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum (FLAM) opened its doors at Miramar, operationally and financially supported by the Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation (FLHF) • After 20-years of supporting the Marine Corps’ community outreach program, military and public events, educational and recognition programs, the Miramar Commanding Officer announced the closure of the museum due to lack of funding. • The FLHF has been working for the past 20 months to find an alternative to closure.
Achievements to Date
• Great Park Board of Directors approved development of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
• USMC divestment of aircraft, artifacts, and other historical items cancelled.• Irvine City Council approved MOU May 25, 2021.• Soft Fundraising Campaign with initial goal of $5 million.• Irvine City Council Approves $6.9M Architecture and Engineering Design Service contract..
• FLAM President/CEO hired.• Siteline Productions Inc. contracted as FLHF’s design and development firm.• May 2022, HQMC signed MOU for relocation of MCAS Miramar collection to Great Park.
• Irvine/FLHF agreement under development.
Challenges
• The museum permanently closed April 1, 2021.• Cataloging of museum collection.• Refinement of Program of Actions and Milestones. • Transportation arrangements for collection.• Preservation and maintenance of aircraft during project period. • Fundraising.• Starting a Business.
The Team
Immediate Goals and Objectives
• Work with City of Irvine for the development of restoration and refurbishment design plans for hangar and the surrounding areas. • Complete agreement between the City of Irvine Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation.
• Update planning and development of Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation’s governing documents, finances, exhibit and office design. • Transport museum collection to Great Park for storage and maintenance.
• Development and execution of a Major Fundraising Campaign.
Cultural Terrace Reuse Plan
Great Park
Athletic Fields
Events Center
FLAM
CFM
Pretend City
Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum/Innovation
Center, Library, and Cultural Center
FLAM
CFA
Pretend City
Plaza
Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum and
Innovation Center
• 215,000 square feet hangar, office and storage• Estimated Cost:
• Preliminary retrofit: $10-15M• Aircraft Movement: $3-4M• Complete Renovation: $10-15M Hangar 296 Today
Patch Collection and Art Gallery
Memories – Archive Pods
Projection Graphics
Achieves & Cartography – Research Library
Projected Timetable
(Estimated times)
Phase 1
Facility Assessment and
Initial Design
•Assessment of facility for
hazardous material, structural integrity, and state/federal standards. •RFP for design. •Initial design concepts for
exterior and interior of facility.
Phase 2
Statement of Work
RFP Development
•Develop SOW based on
facility assessment and initial design concepts.
•Develop and posting of
RFP.
•Contractor Selection.
Phase 3
Restoration, Refurbishment,
and Aircraft Movement
•Restoration,
refurbishment, construction, and redesign.
•Aircraft and artifact
identification and movement for storage.
•Hiring of museum staff.
Phase 4
Exhibit and Display
Configuration
•Exhibit and Display setup.•Furnishing and setup of
office, store, conference and training rooms.
Fundraising
Jan-Feb 2022 Jun-Dec 2021 April 22-Mar 23
Late 2023
Early 2024
Next Steps
• Complete Facility Assessment and Initial Design Concept.• Finalize loan MOU.• Preliminary restoration and refurbishment cost and budget assessment.
• Update business plan as necessary.• Hire essential museum staff.• Transport museum collection, artifacts and associated equipment for storage.
• Major Fundraising Campaign.
Our Vision
• Make the FLAM the premier museum/tourist attraction in Orange County, honoring the history and legacy of MCAS El Toro and Marine Corps Aviation. • Create a setting that inspires the next greatest generation of Americans to pursue careers in public service or the STEM disciplines.
Questions
?
Preserve Honor Inspire
www.flyingleatherecks.org