2015 Annual Report Highlights “Year of Significant Progress” for Redevelopment at Fort Monmouth

At its April meeting, the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority (FMERA) Board approved the Authority’s 2015 Comprehensive Annual Report.

“Building on momentum generated by AcuteCare Health Systems and CommVault developing on the Fort in previous years, FMERA worked diligently to generate interest in redevelopment opportunities, and drive job creation and local economic improvements in the region,” FMERA Chairman James V. Gorman said. “As a result, 2015 was a year of significant progress on the Fort.”

2015 highlights include the October grand opening of Beacon of Life – Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE).  Beacon of Life leases space from AcuteCare Health Systems in the former Patterson Army Health Clinic in Oceanport.  After closing with FMERA in 2014 for the 16-acre property, AcuteCare Health Systems undertook a multi-million dollar renovation to reuse the former Clinic as a state-of-the-art, 98,000-square-foot healthcare facility to improve access to health and wellness services in the region, with plans to create up to 200 new jobs.

Also in October, TetherView, a private cloud computing services company, signed a Purchase and Sale & Redevelopment Agreement (PSARA) with FMERA for the 4.6-acre Russel Hall parcel in Oceanport.  In December, TetherView began moving its headquarters from Staten Island, New York to the approximately 42,300-square-foot building, which is expected to ultimately house over 100 employees.

Earlier in the year, FMERA sought proposals for the redevelopment of Parcel B in Eatontown, with the goal of creating a lifestyle town center and establishing an exciting and attractive gateway to the Fort from Route 35. At its February 2016 meeting, the FMERA board authorized staff to enter into exclusive negotiations with Fort Monmouth Parcel B Redevelopment, LLC, for the property.

The Marina in Oceanport opened in July, and patrons have been flocking to the waterfront restaurant and bar, which occupies the renovated marina building formerly operated by Fort Monmouth. The facility is currently open under an operator’s agreement between FMERA and the restaurant owner, Mario Criscione.

Another Fort Monmouth amenity, the Suneagles Golf Course, continued to be a bastion of activity on the Fort in 2015.  Enlargement of the overall teeing areas was completed in June, as was the re-grading and re-sodding of the entire area. Suneagles is open seven days a week all year round, weather permitting, and had 129 members last year, with a total of 29,498 rounds of golf played on the course.

In January, FMERA signed a sublease with the Oceanport Police Department (OPD) for the Main Post Fire House, located in the Historic District in Oceanport. The OPD performed extensive renovations to the building and moved in to their new location, a great improvement for both the Borough and the local residents. The OPD continues their residence at the Fire House and FMERA is working with the Borough to identify a permanent location at Fort Monmouth.

FMERA looks ahead to 2016 as a year to build upon 2015’s momentum in the redevelopment of the Fort, seeking opportunities to bring permanent, high-skilled jobs back to the community.

The Comprehensive Annual Report will be made available on www.fortmonmouthnj.com pending the Governor’s 10-day veto period of all Board actions.