CORONADO, Calif., Sept. 26 The U.S. Navy is giving a facelift to a Coronado, Calif., Seabees barrack complex that, viewed from the air, looks like a swastika.
The four L-shaped buildings are part of the amphibious base at Coronado. The Navy decided to spend up to $600,000 for landscaping and architectural changes to obscure the view, The Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday.
The Nazi symbol can't be discerned at ground level, and is not in any civilian or military aviation landing pattern. However, beginning in 2006, people caught a look at satellite images and began commenting on how much the layout resembled the infamous Nazi icon.
Conversations among several people and the Defense Department ensued, and funding for architectural modifications was inserted in the complex's budget for the fiscal year beginning Monday.
"I don't ascribe any intentionally evil motives to (the design)," said Morris Casuto, the Anti-Defamation League's regional director in San Diego. "It just happened. The Navy has been very good about recognizing the problem. The issue is over."
Copyright 2007 by UPI
