The loss of defense company jobs coupled with a world-wide recession devastated the San Diego economy. The City of San Diego and regional agencies worked together to refocus the economic base on high-technology companies. With an end to the recession, San Diego now has a vibrant, more diversified economy. A.I.C.P. The aftermath of a military base closure can be a major headache for a community, not to mention a serious loss of jobs. Major environmental cleanup, while the responsibility of the military, often takes years.
Infrastructure is typically obsolete since it was designed for a single purpose by a single user.
Buildings and facilities rarely meet local building codes, and they are frequently old and in need of serious repairs. Often making matters worse is the protracted federally mandated process for planning the reuse of the closed facilities. Thus while communities reel from significant economic loss, they're faced with a new challenge of finding suitable reuse of an area that will, in time, bring new jobs. Merely securing funds to support the reuse effort is one more obstacle. San Diego is working with the Navy, community residents, and various local agencies to create an exciting new area in the city through redevelopment.