By Laura D.C. Kolnoski
FORT MONMOUTH – The Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority (FMERA) has agreed to “buy back” the former fort’s Bowling Center for $1 from the developer who was about to renovate it into The Alley at the Fort. The fate of the 2.8-acre parcel located in Eatontown along Route 537 is unclear.
The Bowling Center was purchased by Parker Creek Partners (PCP) on March 31 for $1.35 million with that amount recorded as paid to FMERA. Two weeks later, a festive kickoff celebration was held in the deteriorating circa 1965 structure, where colorful interior and exterior renderings promised a modernized bowling facility with additional interactive entertainment, two restaurants and more. The firm asked for and received several project completion date delays from FMERA, the last one extending to April 2022. According to FMERA documents, PCP had already done preliminary work including commissioning an asbestos survey and performing abatement.
Parker Creek Partners notified FMERA Sept. 7 that it “no longer wishes to pursue the redevelopment project.” At its Dec. 15 monthly meeting held via teleconference, FMERA’s voting members unanimously approved the new Purchase and Sale Agreement with PCP, marking the first time FMERA has bought back a fort property. The parties agreed PCP would be forgiven its obligation to redevelop the property, to make remaining monetary contributions for water and sewer improvements and to create jobs in connection with the redevelopment as stipulated in the original sales agreement. The closing date for FMERA to buy back the property is Jan. 10.
“We don’t have a plan yet for the Bowling Center’s disposition,” FMERA executive director Bruce Steadman said. “This only came to us a short time ago. We will bring something to the board in the next couple of months. We will look at the highest and best use of the property and put it out for a Request for Offers to Purchase.”
A homeowner at the fort’s East Gate residential development told the board she and her neighbors were “super excited to have a bowling alley” near their homes and were already forming leagues.
A text to one of PCP’s partners, James Wassel, went unanswered by press time. Reached via phone prior to the Dec. 15 meeting, Wassel responded “no comment” when asked about the future of the Bowling Center.
News of the Bowling Center buy-back comes one week after it was revealed in The Two River Times that the intended purchaser of the adjacent Expo Theater, who planned to demolish that structure and create an indoor/outdoor sports complex, withdrew his plans in July before final contracts were signed. In another July development in the same area, longtime plans to convert six former barracks buildings into an artists’ community were terminated by that property’s owner. All three parcels are surrounded by sections of the 290-acre Mega Parcel currently offered for purchase, with bids due Jan. 31. Netflix confirmed its intention to bid on the Mega Parcel in October.
In Other Fort Monmouth News
• The first completed component of the fort’s historic Barker Circle redevelopment project under its new owners is open for tours by prospective tenants. Located inside the Oceanport Avenue entrance in Oceanport, the 20-acre site also includes the fort’s firehouse, being turned into a restaurant, and Kaplan Hall, which will become an art gallery concept where artists can create, exhibit and sell their works.
• Under Barker Circle Partnership LLC, Oceanport Worx in a building on Hildreth Avenue has been renovated into flexible commercial office space featuring private suites and open offices with 24/7 access. Amenities include outdoor terraces with views of the Oceanport green, conference rooms, kitchenette use, off-street parking and more. Tours can be scheduled at oceanportworx.com.
• The iconic flagpole at the Parade Grounds inside the Oceanport Avenue entrance gates is being replaced after the previous pole cracked beyond repair. The Parade Grounds, part of the fort’s Historic District, is now part of the Mega Parcel, but officials assured residents the agreement to purchase that parcel stipulates the area must remain open space with public uses allowed.
• “Aesthetically pleasing,” easy-to-read, double-sided “wayfinding” signs will be installed in five locations throughout Fort Monmouth’s Main Post area by spring, said Sarah Giberson, FMERA marketing and development manager. The fort’s increase in visitors, workers and residents created the need for the signs, which will be paid for by FMERA from the sales of fort properties. Giberson said individual housing developments will be listed, along with businesses opened or about to open.
The article originally appeared in the December 23 – January 6, 2022 print edition of The Two River Times.
