Measuring Success in the Redevelopment of Former Military Bases: Evidence from a Case Study of the Truman Annex in Key West, Florida

Analysts argue that former military bases can be successfully redeveloped and that local economies can recover. Community leaders, however, remain unconvinced and continue to resist base closures. This article considers whether the argument for the economic feasibility of base reuse can be made stronger using case studies. A case study of the redevelopment of the Truman Annex in Key West, Florida, is presented, and its findings are compared with the results of survey and county-based control group analyses. Policy recommendations for communities facing base closures are outlined, including targeting federal resources to “at risk” communities, developing technical expertise within local government, and creating more effective mechanisms for public participation.