City wants to buy land around Langley

HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) - The City of Hampton wants to buy property surrounding Langley Air Force Base to protect the base from another round of defense closures.

The multimillion dollar request is part of the city's legislative package heading to the General Assembly in January.

The city wants to buy the land adjacent to the base, off North Armistead Avenue, where a trailer park is currently located.

But Mercy Sheeley, a resident of the trailer park, isn't worried about losing her home.

"I don't see how its going to protect Langley . It's a small piece of land. Now, if he wanted to go back further and get all them woods maybe that might help, but I don't think them people are going to sell out," Sheeley said.

Under the city's plan, land acquisitions around Langley would involve willing owners and sellers.

Bruce Sturck, with the City of Hampton, said, "It's kind of proactive in the sense we hope there won't be a future base closure, but this also helps us set the stage for if there is a future base closure. They know we're doing due diligence to help work around an installation, such as Langley."

Sturck said the city is asking the state for $6 million. Hampton would have to match the amount to buy the property.

This is not the first time a city has purchased land around a military base to protect it. The City of Virginia Beach bought up land around NAS Oceana to stop new development in the area.