re: Tough choices
Fortunately for communities, a LOT of bases are on prime commericial property. Some places have actually eventually made a profit on the deal, after some short-term pain, of course. I don't know what the statistics are on this, though.
Here in California, Concord actually ASKED to have their base closed. They've had their eye on that property for a long time.
Sometimes the bad news for communities trying to develop old bases is problems with pollutants on the sites.