Robert Zubrin has an article out which about a moonbase. To summarize briefly, his idea is to make a space only vehicle that goes between the lunar surface and low earth orbit. Since it doesn't have to re-enter the atmosphere, it doesn't need shielding, and therefore would be light weight. This would eliminate the need for a large rocket, and allow the moon to be aggressively explored using mostly existing technology.
Of course, the big hangup is always with the government. If the government contracted out the building of an updated lunar module, then the project might be expedited. It does seem to have the advantage of being feasible in an early timeframe, but you have to get the government moving in that direction.
On the other hand, you already have Elon Musk proposing a new rocket that can land on Earth as well as the Moon, or Mars.
Which ever way it is done, somebody is going to have to commit to it, and it may have to be the government, because Elon Musk wants Mars, but the Moon is a lot closer. Policy makers ought to consider the options and decide soon. It is still early in the Trump administration.
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