The city of Key West took ownership of 32 acres on the island's western shore back in 2002.
The property had been used by the Navy since World War II as a submarine base and for other kinds of training. But in a round of downsizing, the land was given to the city.
For the last decade, Key West has been drawing up plans and waiting on environmental clean-up of the property.
This week it is finally breaking ground of the first phase of the land's new life: as a waterfront park.
The initial phase, at $17.4 million, is mostly about infrastructure. Eventual plans for the property call for a community center, amphitheater, ballfields, gardens and playgrounds.
The public is invited to the groundbreaking, set for 10 a.m. Wednesday just past the entrance on Southard Street.
