By Laura D.C. Kolnoski
OCEANPORT – Trucks and heavy equipment entering and exiting an adjacent construction site are plaguing homeowners in the East Gate development on the former Fort Monmouth. After airing their concerns at the Sept. 21 meeting of the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority (FMERA), two residents were assured officials will seek relief.
“We’re excited to have neighbors, but trucks are coming the wrong way,” said East Gate resident Jill Curran. “It’s very disturbing and concerning with all the kids living there.”
The community in what was once known as Officers Row was the first to be occupied by homeowners following extensive redevelopment. It contains duplexes and single-family homes along Parkers Creek with interconnected streets, some designated one-way.
“It’s like a NASCAR raceway,” said Liz Rizzolo, adding she and other neighbors work from home. “GPS may be sending them the wrong way. We’re looking for FMERA’s support and advice.” In addition to signage, the pair asked for construction traffic to be rerouted.
“We will absolutely address it,” said Kara Kopach, FMERA executive director, calling the situation, “unacceptable.”
“We will talk with Somerset (Development) about additional signage and work with the municipality,” she said, noting FMERA does not have control over ongoing utility projects on Signal Avenue.
Redevelopment-related infrastructure work has been ongoing throughout the 1,126-acre former U.S. Army base. Kopach said Barton and Cardy avenues bordering East Gate will eventually be milled, paved and “look like brand new roads.” Barton leads directly into the construction site.
Kristy Dantes, FMERA facilities and infrastructure director, has discussed traffic issues with the residents and Pulte Homes, a developer, and said truck traffic on the one-way Sanger Avenue can be limited. East Gate, opened in phases beginning in 2018 and quickly selling out, is located inside the Oceanport Avenue entrance to the former fort. Earlier this week, only one home there was listed for sale at $729,000.
Next door, a 15-acre site is being transformed into 144 townhomes and 36 affordable residential units after being purchased by Somerset Development, recently renamed “Inspired by Somerset Development.” Work includes demolition of some structures and adaptive reuse of two other historic buildings in what was formerly the Lodging Area. Like East Gate, Somerset’ parcel is part of the fort’s Historic District, listed in the National Register of Historic Places, requiring preservation of certain structures.
Somerset subleased a portion of their property to PulteGroup, which has opened a sales trailer for its “Parkers Creek by Pulte Homes” at 20 Barton Ave. between the construction and East Gate homes. According to the website, three-story townhouses will feature three to four bedrooms, two-car garages, smart home technology, range from 1,980 to 2,378 square feet, and are priced in the $800,000s.
On the other side of Somerset’s site along Signal Avenue sits the 12-acre waterfront Allison Hall parcel, also in the historic district. That complex sold in May to Fort Monmouth Business Center, LLC, an assignee of Tether- View Property Management. Owned by Michael Abboud of Oceanport, TetherView is headquartered in nearby Russel Hall, one of the fort’s first redevelopments.
The Allison Hall site will become Riverwalk Center, a walkable “lifestyle” center with a variety of allowed uses including a waterfront restaurant and a boutique hotel. Each developer along the creek must construct their portion of a public pedestrian promenade connecting the entire area. Construction is expected to continue for at least two more years.
The article originally appeared in the September 29 – October 5, 2022 print edition of The Two River Times.
