Bergstrom Air Force Base - Post-USAF Use

Post-USAF Use

Further information: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

During the 1970s, Austin's municipal airport, Robert Mueller Municipal Airport, became crowded and noise complaints increased from residents of the lower-income housing subdivisions built in the flight path. The city approached the Air Force in 1978 to propose a shared civil-military airport at Bergstrom, but the original proposal and further ones in 1981 and 1984 were also rejected. The Air Force rejected the 1978 and 1984 proposals because of operational concerns. The 1981 proposal included a new runway on the west side of the base. Dubbed "Bergstrom West", the plan did not get approved because the Austin City Council rejected any joint use control arrangement required by the Air Force.

With the closure of Bergstrom AFB in 1993, a bond was raised for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Much of the former air base, including most buildings, trees, and structures, were completely demolished, with a few exceptions, such as the Twelfth Air Force Headquarters (which was converted into a hotel) and the original 12,250-foot (3,730 m) runway, which was refurbished for commercial use.