Master plans were produced for the Naval Research Laboratory in 1972 and 1980. The 1972 plan included the Bellevue Housing site as part of NRL. The 1980 plan excluded it. This plan update recommends that it remain as housing. The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) was established on July 2, 1923, as the Naval Experimental and Research Laboratory. Over the past 62 years, the facility has grown from modest beginning of five buildings and a few hand-picked scientists to its present status as the "Corporate Laboratory of the Navy." Current resources include a main laboratory expanded to 129 acres, about 20 field sites, more than 400 buildings and structures, and a 3,500 person workforce. The Naval Research Laboratory functions as the all-purpose research laboratory for the Navy, providing basic research into various areas as designated by the Office of Naval Research.