By Laura D.C. Kolnoski
FORT MONMOUTH – The pervasive question “What’s happening on Fort Monmouth?” refers not only to redevelopment projects; it is also spurred by the sight of heavy equipment and excavations throughout the 1,126-acre property.
Antiquated and insufficient infrastructure from various stages of the fort’s 100 years as a U.S. Army post, including power and water lines, are undergoing upgrades and replacements to accommodate new homes and businesses already established or in progress. At this point, some 86% of the fort is sold or in the sales process. If all goes as planned, Netflix will close on almost 300 acres and create a major production studio with an anticipated opening in 2027. The master reuse plan for Fort Monmouth also includes 1,585 residences spread through the three towns it spans – Eatontown, Oceanport and Tinton Falls.
Along Oceanport Avenue and Parkers Creek, where much of the infrastructure work is currently taking place, different developers are constructing their portions of projects that will feature myriad residential and commercial uses, including eateries, stores, offices and a potential boutique hotel.
Completion of the sewer replacement project there will allow redevelopment of the Barker Circle complex, bisected by Route 537, to move forward, including an office building and a restaurant planned for the fort’s former firehouse. Barker Circle covers approximately 19.5 acres and seven buildings, is located within the fort’s historic district, and must abide by historic preservation covenants.
After the parcel was put up for sale by the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority (FMERA) in 2017, it was purchased by Barker Circle Partners (BCP) for $4.85 million. The property includes Kaplan Hall, built in 1933 as a 574-seat theater, and the 1940s Dance Hall, which was completely renovated by owners Trip and Alecia Brooks into Park Loft, a wedding and banquet facility.
An office building to be created from former lodging on the site will be developed next, with an anticipated opening in late spring, according to a spokesperson for Barker Circle Management, who noted the structure was “mostly completed when it was purchased.”
The spokesperson said a brew pub with approximately 150 seats and outdoor space, to be located at the firehouse, is in the design stage. Hopes are to find an outside operator and present plans by fall. The spokesperson declined to say whether an operator has yet been secured. The firehouse restaurant will join the new Birdsmouth Brewery, now operating in the fort’s former commissary, the Marina at Oceanport restaurant across Oceanport Avenue which operates seasonally, and a planned waterfront restaurant along Parkers Creek, part of the the adjacent Allison Hall complex, which also includes a drive-thru.
The remainder of Barker Circle’s redevelopment will consist of 75 for-sale or rental residential units with 15 designated for affordable housing. BCP has agreed to target a portion of the affordable units for occupancy by veterans. Kaplan Hall also carries the potential for an outside operator. Its last use was as the Army’s Communications Electronics Museum. Both FMERA and the Oceanport Planning Board and Council must approve BCP’s plans, which are subject to a Mandatory Conceptual Review.
Barker Circle Partners will pay $700,000 based on the current anticipated cost toward its portion of the sewer project, approved by FMERA at its Feb. 15 meeting. According to FMERA documents, BCP is responsible for the costs associated with the installation of the sewer main to create a connection to a new Two Rivers Water Reclamation Authority (TRWRA) pumping station nearby.
Other fort infrastructure work is being performed in conjunction with the TRWRA, the Eatontown Sewerage Authority and Colliers Engineering, including new sanitary pump stations, design work for the Monmouth County Motor Pool located in the fort’s former gas station, a new park in Eatontown, and the barracks parcel, part of the “Mega Parcel” being purchased by Netflix.
“FMERA continues to repair, replace, and maintain aged electrical infrastructure as we are in discussions with JCP&L to replace the electric distribution system on the main post to correspond with the new substation activation,” according to information from FMERA. “Facilities and On-site Maintenance Teams continue to maintain and repair heat systems and fire suppression systems of buildings to be reused by the potential Mega Parcel purchaser.”
The article originally appeared in the February 23 – March 1, 2023 print edition of The Two River Times.
