Frequently Asked Questions

A 1,600-acre redevelopment (1,511 acres in Tustin, 95 in Irvine) of the former Marine Corps Air Station Tustin into a vibrant, mixed-use community with homes, parks, businesses, and preserved history. 

The project began in 1996 with the Tustin City Council being renamed Local Reuse Authority overseeing future development of Tustin Legacy. The Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Tustin closed in 1999, which left 1,153 acres to the City for redevelopment. The City drafted the Tustin Legacy Specific Plan in 2003 to guide the transformation of this space into a thriving mixed-use community. From 1999 to today, the City has been implementing the vision established in the plan with development of active projects. The plan has evolved since its creation to reflect changing community needs, making it a dynamic blueprint for the area’s future.  

• The Tustin Legacy Specific Plan
• Economic growth
• Housing demand
• Historic preservation
• Infrastructure investment

The Tustin Legacy Project includes several specific improvements: 

• Infrastructure: Installing utilities, roads and traffic management systems to handle increased usage with redevelopment. 
• Parks: Developing a network of parks and open spaces. 
• Housing: Introducing diverse residential options, including affordable housing. 
• Commercial Areas: Establishing new commercial and mixed-use zones to enhance economic activity. 
• Cultural Preservation: Preserving the historic character of Tustin Legacy. 

• Hangar fire and safety concerns
• Rising housing demand
• Greater need for public spaces
• Shifting market conditions

Most of these shifts have been addressed through periodic updates to the Specific Plan—now updated 13 times since 2003—with the most comprehensive update occurring in 2024/2025 to align with RHNA goals and current market preferences. 

Yes—with more flexibility on City-owned land. Navy-retained land is limited until officially transferred. 

There is a total of 1,600 acres of developable land at Tustin Legacy. 1,500 acres are in the City of Tustin and 95 acres are in the City of Irvine. At buildout and project completion, development of the following is expected:  

• 975+ projected affordable housing units and growing
• 9.5M square feet of planned non-residential space
• 9,000+ residential units planned
• 170 acres of new parks, trails and recreation space

A total of 1,000 acres have been developed at Tustin Legacy. The following development has been completed to date:  

• 655 affordable housing units
• 2 M square feet of non-residential space completed
• 95 acres of new parks
• 4,258 residential units completed

Full buildout is a decades-long process with multiple phases. 

Development at Tustin Legacy is subject to a number of constraints, which may limit what can be built or how quickly things move forward. These include: 

• Maintenance and remediation of the South Hangar
• Ongoing remediation
• Federal property transfer timing and agreement compliance
• State restrictions and mandates
• Infrastructure installation costs

The North Hangar was damaged by fire in 2023. It sits on 85 acres (Parcel 18), which is owned by the Navy and licensed to the City. As the Local Reuse Authority, the City must develop and adopt a Reuse Plan to inform the Navy’s decision making. This plan is in development. The City is working to support possible transfer of land from the U.S. Navy.  

The South Hangar occupies approximately 7 acres and is part of the Tustin Legacy urban core with a mixed-use development vision. Realizing that vision would require $10M-$100M+ in City investment. Health, safety, cost and community use are key concerns. The status of whether to preserve or remove the Hangar remains undecided. Its future hinges on how much the City and community are willing to invest in its preservation. Evaluation of long-term operations and maintenance costs is underway. The City Council will make the final decision about its future. 

Removing the South Hangar would require a 2–3 year process involving the U.S. Navy and preservation agencies. This includes extensive environmental reviews and formal approvals.

The City is addressing high infrastructure costs—including those for roads, storm drains and utilities—through multiple funding sources, including:

1. Land Sales Proceeds
2. Assessment districts (CFDs)
3. The Tustin Legacy Backbone Infrastructure Financing Program
4. Grant funding 

The remaining land in Tustin Legacy includes a mix of residential and commercial uses. Residential areas are mainly in the northern and eastern parts, while commercial and office uses are concentrated in the central and southern areas. Approximately 170 acres of the entire site is reserved for parks and open space, with the rest divided between housing, businesses and community services. For more information, visit the Tustin Legacy Specific Plan. 

Areas within Tustin Legacy are designated for mixed-use urban development, combining housing, shops, offices, parks and entertainment. More than 5,000 new residential units are planned, along with major commercial and recreational spaces designed to promote walkability and an active urban lifestyle.

The Specific Plan envisions more than 9,000 housing units at completion, including single-family detached and attached homes, multi-family housing and more than 975 affordable housing units projected at a variety of income levels. 

Currently, 655 affordable units are complete, and 334 affordable units are approved but not yet built. The City will continue to include affordable housing in future projects. 

Some parcels are pending transfer or fall under shared jurisdiction between the following entities:

• City of Tustin
• County of Orange
• South Orange County Community College District
• U.S. Department of the Navy
• Tustin Unified School District (TUSD)

Yes, there’s a focus on transit-oriented development, especially near the Metrolink station. Future plans aim to create a more connected community by enhancing access to public transportation and making it easier for people to live, work and commute within Tustin. 

At full build-out, 9.5 million square feet of non-residential space is planned, which includes office and retail spaces, educational facilities and other non-residential uses. 

Tustin Legacy is expected to provide over 170 acres of parks and open space at the completion of Tustin Legacy, including 95 acres of existing parks, trails and recreational areas. This allocation meets and exceeds the Tustin General Plan goal of three acres of parkland per 1,000 residents.

Tustin Legacy will prioritize both business growth and community amenities, ensuring that development meets residents' needs while preserving a high standard of living. Public input will guide these efforts and each development project will go through a formal planning process, where the impacts of projects are evaluated to ensure the City balances growth with quality of life for community members.  

The City of Tustin is launching a community engagement effort to shape the future of the remaining 500 acres of Tustin Legacy. The City is asking for community input through this outreach process through late 2025 to better understand current perceptions, values and priorities that community members have about the future of Tustin Legacy, the historic Hangars and their potential role in future development. Feedback will help shape the conversation and guide the planning process. While the final decision will be made by the City Council, this is the community’s opportunity to be part of the conversation. The City will host a series of community meetings, a community survey and tours of Tustin Legacy area. The City encourages broad participation in the process.

There are a few different ways to get in contact with the project team. You may call our dedicated hotline at 714-788-5859 or email TustinLegacy@tustinca.org. For general project updates, please subscribe to our newsletter here. The project has a dedicated webpage where more details, updates, and resources are available: tustinca.org/Legacy.