By Laura D.C. Kolnoski
FORT MONMOUTH – A long-standing goal of preserving Fort Monmouth’s military history as part of its redevelopment was achieved Friday with the unveiling of the 117 World War II monuments relocated to the fort’s historic district.
Netflix sponsored the event Nov. 14, held under a large tent in front of Russel Hall and catered by Jon and Dorothea Bongiovi’s JBJ Soul Kitchen.
The entertainment company is currently working toward building its second-largest film production studio on more than 292 acres near the fort’s historic district.
Netflix also funded the relocation of the monuments, overseen by Monmouth County. Formerly located along the Avenue of Memories (Route 537) through the main post, the square markers are now part of Cowan Park inside the Oceanport Avenue gates, arranged along a walkway on either side of an American flag. A new central marker describes their significance. When the fort’s redevelopment is complete, a public walkway will encircle the property, allowing visitors to access the military tributes.
“The monuments were not protected on Route 537, and we were worried they’d be damaged during construction,” said Kara Kopach, executive director of the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority (FMERA), who emceed the ceremonies. “Netflix brought in specialists to figure it out. The same two people moved each monument carefully. Today’s service is a shining example of how seriously Netflix takes its role in the community.”
Speakers included Ann Kelly, Netflix vice president of Studio Management, state Sens. Vin Gopal (D-11) and Declan O’Scanlon (R-13), county commissioner director Thomas Arnone, Eatontown Mayor Anthony Talerico Jr., and Oceanport Mayor Tom Tvrdik. Netflix Studios Fort Monmouth, due to open in phases in 2027 and 2028, spans both municipalities.
The monuments honor 117 members of the U.S. Army Signal Corps, a revered part of Fort Monmouth’s 100-year history, who were killed in action during World War II. Many veterans attended the event, which opened with music by the Pipes and Drums of the Atlantic Watch and the county sheriff’s department Color Guard. During the unveiling, the pipes and drums played “Amazing Grace.”
“We recognize our solemn duty as caretakers of these monuments,” Kelly told the crowd. Calling the relocation “a 100% success,” Arnone said when the county assumed control of the Avenue of Memories, workers uncovered some monuments sunken into the grass. He said the county will now be responsible for maintaining the road, including snow plowing.
“This effort shows what kind of partner Netflix will be,” Arnone said, adding the county worked with local officials and veterans’ organizations to ensure this transition was “handled with care.”
“The Avenue of Memories holds deep significance for so many, and we are committed to ensuring the memory of the U.S. Army Signal Corps soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice continues to be recognized with the honor and respect they deserve,” he said.
Acknowledging Gov. Phil Murphy, Arnone noted the overall redevelopment of the fort, and the Netflix project in particular, has had bipartisan support at all levels of government.
Netflix’s complex will also include a public park inside the Route 35 gates with pillar-style monuments along a walkway detailing the fort’s history. The historic buildings Netflix will renovate and repurpose will bear plaques relating their Army significance.
“This relocation will ensure that the monuments are forever protected in a deed-restricted open space with historic covenants,” said Kopach, whose father and uncles served in the military. “The debt to these heroes can never be repaid.”
Netflix is making other improvements to the Avenue of Memories, which runs along one perimeter of its property, including widening the roadway, adding new sidewalks and adding shoulders along with a dedicated center turn lane to improve safety and traffic flow, Arnone said.
When completed, Netflix Studios Fort Monmouth will have 12 soundstages, mills, backlots, offices and administrative and support buildings. Closing on the property is scheduled for Dec. 5. The company will pay $55 million and plans to invest at least $900 million in the project. Twenty-five obsolete fort buildings have already been demolished, with 60 more scheduled for demo over the next 18 months.
The 1,126-acre fort, which also includes part of Tinton Falls, was closed by the Army in 2011. The redevelopment effort has been ongoing for a dozen years, with almost 90% of the land already sold and redeveloped, or in the process of redevelopment, including housing for over 1,500 new residents, retail, dining, technology services and more.
The article originally appeared in the November 20 – 26, 2025 print edition of The Two River Times.
