Proposal deadlines have passed on two Air Force plans to lease Eielson land

The deadlines have passed for proposals on two Air Force plans to lease thousands of acres at Eielson Air Force Base to private developers, one for AI data centers and one for housing and businesses. Alaska News found no public announcement that the Air Force has picked a developer for either.

The latest mention of the leases came from Fairbanks North Star Borough Mayor Grier Hopkins. He told the borough's Economic Development Commission on July 28 that requests for quotations were open for commercial use of Eielson properties, according to draft minutes the commission, which he chairs, is scheduled to approve Tuesday. The minutes don't say which solicitation he meant.

The first plan sought developers for AI data centers on about 4,700 acres at Eielson, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and Clear Space Force Station, with proposals due June 29. The Air Force's own documents said some of the Eielson land sits in or near a PFAS contamination plume that is still moving, Alaska News reported in June.

The second sought a developer for family housing, retail and other mixed-use projects on four Eielson parcels totaling 3,967 acres, including 175 acres in North Pole, under leases that could run up to 50 years. Proposals were due Aug. 10, so it was the only one still open when Hopkins spoke.

Hopkins' July report also covered housing incentives. The borough's housing tax incentive ordinance cites expanded missions at Eielson and Fort Wainwright.

This month, Hopkins proposed pausing borough land use permits for large data centers through 2027, and the Borough Assembly was scheduled Oct. 22 to send the proposal to the Planning Commission, Alaska News reported.

Tuesday's commission agenda includes another report from Hopkins but no separate Eielson item.