By Laura D.C. Kolnoski
FORT MONMOUTH – While plans are now in the works to reopen the portion of County Route 537 through Fort Monmouth known as the Avenue of Memories, officials caution the devil could be in the details.
Local officials and citizens speaking at monthly meetings of the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority (FMERA) have long questioned when the road, which closed after Sept. 11, 2001, would again be available for public use. The matter was recently resurrected by Monmouth County Freeholder Director Thomas Arnone. Negotiations between FMERA and county officials, including public works and engineering experts, ensued. As a result, at their July 20 meeting, FMERA members unanimously voted to convey the road to the county, citing conditions to be met beforehand, as well as reservations the reopening might be premature. The U.S. Army still owns the fort, but final transfer is expected later this year. State representatives distributed the following statement after the vote:
“This conveyance remains subject to financing through the county, and FMERA’s closing with the Army. We are working closely with the county and the appropriate law enforcement agencies to ensure that the Avenue of Memories…a critical road to the eventual integration of the fort properties in Eatontown and Oceanport to the surrounding areas, is safe and secure, and that the former fort buildings along the Avenue are patrolled and protected by video surveillance.
Before the road can be opened in a safe and efficient manner, logistical details need to be addressed. Therefore, the board also approved FMERA staff entering into a Memorandum of Understanding with the County to address operational issues for opening Avenue of Memories. The county intends to open Avenue of Memories for public use in the fall of this year.
Monmouth County is in the final stages of working out a financing plan conceived by Freeholder Lillian Burry, the county’s long- time FMERA representative, to hasten the final transfer. Under her plan, FMERA would purchase the remaining fort parcels from the Army for $33 million, loaned by the Monmouth County Improvement Authority. About $10 million is expected to be paid back by year’s end through proceeds from the sale of for t parcels. The Improvement Authority would back the bonds, Burry said, adding FMERA must make payments over seven years. The parties have been negotiat- ing the financing plan since April.
The physical condition of the Avenue of Memories must also be addressed. Built by the Army, it is not up to county road specifications. That aspect will be undertaken by the county’s Department of Public Works and Engineering in an in-kind arrangement. The FMERA agreement states, “The county has agreed to accept ownership of the Avenue of Memories/Saltzman Avenue and Sherrill Avenue/Wilson Avenue and dedicate them in stages as public rights-of-way in order to facilitate the redevelopment of the adjacent parcels.”
FORT MONMOUTH – While plans are now in the works to reopen the portion of County Route 537 through Fort Monmouth known as the Avenue of Memories, officials caution the devil could be in the details.
Local officials and citizens speaking at monthly meetings of the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority (FMERA) have long questioned when the road, which closed after Sept. 11, 2001, would again be available for public use. The matter was recently resurrected by Monmouth County Freeholder Director Thomas Arnone. Negotiations between FMERA and county officials, including public works and engineering experts, ensued. As a result, at their July 20 meeting, FMERA members unanimously voted to convey the road to the county, citing conditions to be met beforehand, as well as reservations the reopening might be premature. The U.S. Army still owns the fort, but final transfer is expected later this year. State representatives distributed the following statement after the vote:
“This conveyance remains subject to financing through the county, and FMERA’s closing with the Army. We are working closely with the county and the appropriate law enforcement agencies to ensure that the Avenue of Memories…a critical road to the eventual integration of the fort properties in Eatontown and Oceanport to the surrounding areas, is safe and secure, and that the former fort buildings along the Avenue are patrolled and protected by video surveillance.
Before the road can be opened in a safe and efficient manner, logistical details need to be addressed. Therefore, the board also approved FMERA staff entering into a Memorandum of Understanding with the County to address operational issues for opening Avenue of Memories. The county intends to open Avenue of Memories for public use in the fall of this year.
Monmouth County is in the final stages of working out a financing plan conceived by Freeholder Lillian Burry, the county’s long- time FMERA representative, to hasten the final transfer. Under her plan, FMERA would purchase the remaining fort parcels from the Army for $33 million, loaned by the Monmouth County Improvement Authority. About $10 million is expected to be paid back by year’s end through proceeds from the sale of for t parcels. The Improvement Authority would back the bonds, Burry said, adding FMERA must make payments over seven years. The parties have been negotiat- ing the financing plan since April.
The physical condition of the Avenue of Memories must also be addressed. Built by the Army, it is not up to county road specifications. That aspect will be undertaken by the county’s Department of Public Works and Engineering in an in-kind arrangement. The FMERA agreement states, “The county has agreed to accept ownership of the Avenue of Memories/Saltzman Avenue and Sherrill Avenue/Wilson Avenue and dedicate them in stages as public rights-of-way in order to facilitate the redevelopment of the adjacent parcels.”
The authority will convey the approximately 21.5 acre property as-is. The county will maintain road and fire hydrant service, as well as provide street lighting. Fencing, traffic flow patterns, and road signs will also be addressed.
“The reopening of Route 537 as a thoroughfare will open a window for residents to see what’s going on at the fort,” said FMERA Chairman James V. Gorman. Added Executive Director Bruce Steadman, “We are working with the county on Route 537, in-kind services, and a complex set of agreements. There are details we are still trying to work out.”
“My excitement for the reopening of Route 537 through Fort Monmouth is two-fold,” said Arnone, who is running for reelection in November. “People will be able to see the progress and potential, hopefully enticing more businesses there, and it will ease traffic congestion. Local highways Routes 35 and 36 are congested for many reasons. Reopening Route 537 through the fort will take the stress off the other highways. I think it’s the right thing to do. I don’t want to wait because it will take awhile. Area mayors I have spoken with are all in agreement.”
FMERA officials are adamant that pervasive security be in place before Route 537 reopens. While N.J. State Police are stationed at and patrol the fort, break-ins and thefts at the 1,127-acre property have occurred. Said one FMERA staff member, “All eyes will be upon anyone who enters.”
FMERA officials had hoped to delay reopening the road until more contents of fort buildings are auctioned off. Large lot auctions of machinery and office contents have already been held with profits going back into redevelopment efforts. Auctions will resume once the fort is transferred by the Army. Smaller lot auctions will be scheduled for the public at a later date, officials said.
“The reopening of Route 537 as a thoroughfare will open a window for residents to see what’s going on at the fort,” said FMERA Chairman James V. Gorman. Added Executive Director Bruce Steadman, “We are working with the county on Route 537, in-kind services, and a complex set of agreements. There are details we are still trying to work out.”
“My excitement for the reopening of Route 537 through Fort Monmouth is two-fold,” said Arnone, who is running for reelection in November. “People will be able to see the progress and potential, hopefully enticing more businesses there, and it will ease traffic congestion. Local highways Routes 35 and 36 are congested for many reasons. Reopening Route 537 through the fort will take the stress off the other highways. I think it’s the right thing to do. I don’t want to wait because it will take awhile. Area mayors I have spoken with are all in agreement.”
FMERA officials are adamant that pervasive security be in place before Route 537 reopens. While N.J. State Police are stationed at and patrol the fort, break-ins and thefts at the 1,127-acre property have occurred. Said one FMERA staff member, “All eyes will be upon anyone who enters.”
FMERA officials had hoped to delay reopening the road until more contents of fort buildings are auctioned off. Large lot auctions of machinery and office contents have already been held with profits going back into redevelopment efforts. Auctions will resume once the fort is transferred by the Army. Smaller lot auctions will be scheduled for the public at a later date, officials said.
