Navy Base Handed To Marines

By Eileen Fleming

New Orleans, La. – The installation is being kept open under a public-private deal called Federal City, where 11-hundred Marines work with 275 civilians. Marines have a history in the area dating back to 1778 when they arrived in a boat called Rattletrap. The base had been on a list for closure in 2005, but the Pentagon ultimately accepted a city plan to keep it open. Talks are under way for the new national Marine Forces Reserve to open a public area next month. A maritime academy is planned to open next year.
For WWNO, I'm Eileen Fleming.