By Laura D.C. Kolnoski
FORT MONMOUTH – With closing still two years away, Netflix has been granted permission to begin demolishing 88 buildings on the 300 acres of Fort Monmouth the firm plans to transform into a major production studio. If the sale falls through, Netflix is responsible for completing and removing the approved demolition.
According to officials at the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority (FMERA), the state entity overseeing the redevelopment of the former U.S. Army base, one million square feet of “blight” will be removed.
Netflix must first secure a contractor and work with Eatontown, Oceanport and the Monmouth County Planning Board on the particulars, according to Sarah Giberson, FMERA director of Real Estate Development & Marketing. Blasting or explosive demolition is expressly prohibited.
Once all required regulatory approvals are received, Netflix plans to begin remediation and demolition next year to clear the site in preparation for construction, according to a source close to Netflix who requested anonymity. “The team is committed to doing this work with minimal disruption to the surrounding community and adhering to all safety and environmental concerns,” the source said.
“Netflix will work with the towns and county on traffic planning during demolition,” Giberson said.
FMERA was notified by Netflix in June that it “desires to commence demolition of certain buildings not identified for reuse.”
Giberson said the buildings are of various types and located throughout the 300 acres known as the Mega Parcel in Eatontown and Oceanport. The fort’s 1,126 acres cover portions of Eatontown, Oceanport and Tinton Falls.
This fourth amendment to Netflix’s proposals states, “Purchaser shall be the generator of all debris, waste, and/or hazardous materials collected during abatement and demolition, and shall be responsible for the appropriate management, disposal, and recycling of same. In the event the agreement is terminated prior to the initial closing, purchaser shall complete all then-ongoing demolition in accordance with the approved plans, and promptly remove all personal property and equipment from the property and repair any damage caused by purchaser, its employees, agents, contractors or consultants, or any of their invitees during purchaser’s access to the property.” Additional details relate to insurance, indemnification, environmental provisions, prevailing wage, and other applicable law.
Netflix was named top bidder for the Mega Parcel in October 2022; a Purchase and Sale and Redevelopment Agreement (PSARA) with FMERA was approved that December. The company is currently working its way through a 36-month approval period, seeking numerous municipal, county and state approvals. Plans are to open the facility in 2028, with the full build-out estimated to take seven to 10 years.
The fort’s McAfee Center, a 1997 technology development building, will be among the first to be adaptively reused. Named for Dr. Walter S. McAfee, a civilian engineer who worked on pivotal projects there, the red brick structure will become office space for productions filming on the studio lot with support space dedicated to wardrobe, hair and makeup, and dressing rooms.
Netflix has committed $848 million in capital investments to develop the state-of-the-art complex, its second largest in the world after New Mexico. It’s estimated the studio will create more than 3,500 construction-related jobs and over 1,500 permanent production jobs.
Vail Hall Renovation Underway
Black netting went up around Vail Hall on Route 537 this summer. Inside, Netflix’s contractor is “clearing out” and renovating. The 1952 structure is named for World War I veteran and fort Chief Signal Officer Alfred Vail. FMERA’s original reuse plan designated the parcel for “communication related uses.”
“Staff has reviewed… and supports the expedited site work, abatement, and demolition… subject to the terms and conditions set-forth in the proposed Fourth Amendment to the PSARA,” staff noted.
“The parties mutually agree to provide the right to enter the property to perform all necessary abatement and demolition work subject to FMERA’s written consent,” the amendment continues. “Purchaser shall be responsible at its sole cost and expense to obtain all necessary permits, authorizations, approvals, or entitlements of any nature from any governmental entity.” Netflix must also provide architectural or engineering plans and specifications for the proposed work for FMERA’s review and approval. Repair, replacement, or modification of the structural portions of the building are also permitted.
The article originally appeared in the October 3 – October 9, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
