OCEANPORT – The Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority (FMERA) continues negotiating with the U.S. Army on final transfer of the fort property. Meanwhile, working with real estate broker Cushman & Wakefield, FMERA is marketing various parcels. Recent developments, all in Oceanport, include:
- Fitness Center – New Jersey-based FM Partners, LLC was the sole bidder on the fort’s former fitness center and its 7.75-acre parcel. A sublease was approved in May, allowing FM Partners to progress with its plans to reuse the facility as a fitness/wellness center, and create an 80,000-square-foot indoor soccer/recreational field on the property. The deal, formalized at FMERA’s June 17 meeting, includes the site’s three buildings and all fitness equipment. Renovation and expansion of the building, “for medically based fitness programming, aquatic programming, and individualized and group training and classes … a pro shop, health café, and parking” are also planned. “As businesses such as CommVault and AcuteCare bring more employees to the area, FMERA is excited at the prospect of having a facility on the fort to meet the fitness and recreational needs of the expanding workforce and the community at large,” said FMERA Executive Director Bruce Steadman.
- Dance Hall – Once slated for demolition, the fort’s former dance hall, a 16,420 square-foot building on 4.2 acres, may join the area’s growing microbrewery/ restaurant/art space trend. Sources told the Two River Times that the hall’s potential future uses were expanded following new interest to include, “restaurant, café, coffee house, microbrewery, brewpub, gallery and/or performance space serving small entertainment and recreational uses…” Original uses listed office/research, institutional/civic, or open space/recreation. Adjacent to the fort’s historic district, the dance hall was built in 1941. “We respond to interests brought to us by investors and developers,” Steadman said. “We have to focus on the reuse plan until someone comes forth with a higher and better purpose for a building.” Proposals for the site are due June 26.
- Officers Housing – RPM Development, a New Jersey based real estate firm with past experience in historic preservation, entered into a purchase, sale, and redevelopment agreement with FMERA for the residential units on two separate parcels. The properties are located within the fort’s National Register Historic District, so redevelopment is restricted, officials said. The proposal calls for 68 for-sale units north of the parade ground. The 48 rental units south of the parade ground will be a mix of market rate and affordable rentals. A single family home will be renovated into a community space for tenants. Building exteriors will be restored, interiors will be renovated, and landscaping will be added; including a recreational area along Parker’s Creek. The company has applied for and received site plan and subdivision approval from the Oceanport Planning Board for the South Post, FMERA staff reported. RPM will pay $8,262,817 for the property and contribute up to $1,000,000 toward infrastructure obligations. The agreement further states, “The parties have agreed to fasttrack development of the project in anticipation of the Army conveying titles to FMERA this summer.”
- Marina – As work continues on upgrades at 10 Riverside Ave. in advance of its opening this summer, by mid June, 10 boat slips had been rented. The operators, AP Development Partners LLC, advertised for hosts, cooks, dishwashers, bartenders, and more on Craigslist, FMERA officials said. Some boat slips will be reserved for Dock and Dine once the restaurant opens, the operator reported. The U.S. Army, AP Development Partners, and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection are working to rectify three permit violations.
- Commissary/Barker Circle – The former fort commissary is part of the “Barker Circle Complex” being made available for purchase, but officials said it’s unlikely a hoped for grocery store would occupy the space. “The area has had interest from several different parties for different uses,” Steadman said. “We’ll show it first as depicted in the reuse plan, but will see what’s proposed and what would be the best use.” Steadman said that while most supermarkets today are at least 80,000 square feet, the commissary is 50,000 square feet. “Barker Circle is being “bundled” for sale, Steadman said. Included are the Main Post Firehouse, the fort museum, and Allison Hall and its adjacent properties a lodging area and the commissary. The Oceanport Fire Department is currently leasing the firehouse on an interim basis through 2016. The FMERA request to make the commissary, completed in 1998, available for purchase states, “The Authority has received specific interest from a prospective purchaser in acquiring the property for redevelopment.”
By Laura D.C. Kolnoski
Photo Laura D.C. Kolnoski
