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1,125-acre Army base must close by September 2011

TOM HESTER SR

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

Gov. Chris Christie Tuesday signed legislation designed to help provide investment and economic growth to the soon-to-be closed Fort Monmouth Army base and the Monmouth County region surrounding it.

The legislation creates the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority (FMERA), which will replace the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Planning Authority and advance that entity's redevelopment plan for economic development, and planning, with a focus on technology-based industries, for the 1,125-acre base.

"With the closure of Fort Monmouth very near on the horizon, it is vital that state and local leaders are prepared with a comprehensive, long-term plan to ensure that economic continuity, stability and growth are maintained for the regions effected by the closure," Christie said during a bill-signing ceremony on the base.

"Through the joint efforts of state, county and municipal leaders, Fort Monmouth can and will remain a driver of economic growth for both the region and the state,'' the governor said. "By creating the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority to take action on a comprehensive and strong economic development plan, we are ensuring that the municipal, county and state resources and guidance will be employed in partnership to make certain that Fort Monmouth will be a home for job creation and economic growth."

Under the BRAC guidelines, the base must close no later than Sept. 15, 2011, at which point the Fort Monmouth property will be used entirely for civilian purposes.

The redevelopment plan calls for the promotion and development of the area, encouraging and maintaining employment, conserving natural resources, and coordinating the effort with surrounding towns.

Under the legislation, FMERA is given a multitude of tools to revitalize and redevelop the Fort Monmouth area. Among these are the abilities to undertake redevelopment projects, adopt development and design guidelines and land use regulations in connection with the provision of utilities, streets, roads or other infrastructure required for the implementation of the revitalization plan.

The state Economic Development Authority will staff FMERA, which is also authorized to enter into an agreement with the EDA to act as the designated redeveloper.

The authority's voting members will include the mayors of the three adjacent municipalities, a member of the Monmouth freeholders, a member chosen by Christie from a list of five candidates who are Monmouth County residents selected by the freeholders, two additional gubernatorial appointments, plus a member of the governor's staff, and the Chairman of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority.

The authority will also have non-voting members, consisting of the commissioners of the state departments of Transportation, Labor, Environmental Protection and Community Affairs.

Five members of the nine member board must be are residents of Monmouth County and the legislation incorporates strict pay-to-play and conflict of interest regulations that will apply to developers, vendors and board members.

"The Fort Monmouth Revitalization Act creates a unique state, local and private sector partnership to build a future where the fort site can again be a dynamic economic hub one day,'' Sen. Joseph Kyrillos (R-Monmouth), a sponsor of the legislation, said. " It is our challenge and obligation.

Sen. Raymond J. Lesniak (D-Union), a co-sponsor of the legislation, said the development financing tools granted to the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority have been successful in other areas of the state, but have never been used in conjunction with each other.

The special improvement district is modeled on the special improvement districts which may be currently designated by municipalities; the transportation planning district is modeled on the Hackensack Meadowlands Transportation Planning District, and the infrastructure improvement district is based on the "Large Site Landfill Reclamation and Improvement Law" which was used to finance the infrastructure improvements related to Jersey Gardens Mall in Elizabeth.

"This new law represents the next phase in the transition of Fort Monmouth from military base to economic powerhouse of eastern Monmouth County," Lesniak said. "There's no question that the fort has been an integral part of the Monmouth County economy for years, contributing not only cutting-edge technology to our country's military efforts oversees, but also contributing millions of dollars to local businesses and employing thousands of military and civilian employees. This law sets the stage for the future of the communities hosting Fort Monmouth, to make sure we capitalize on this opportunity to expand Monmouth County's economy."

"Quite simply, this is all about jobs for New Jerseyans," Assemblyman Joseph Cryan (D-Union), a co-sponsor, said. "Job creation and economic development has been one of our top priorities. This law will play a key role in ensuring New Jersey maximizes all opportunities to make this property a key part of our economic future and help put nearly 7,000 New Jerseyans to work."

In a related development, Reps. Frank Pallone Jr., (D-6th) and Rush Holt (D-12th) sent a letter to Army Secretary John McHugh repeating a prior request that Fort Monmouth's commissary and post exchange remain in operation after the fort closes.

They maintain that both facilities supply necessary affordable goods and services to the military community.

"We reiterate our request to keep these facilities open because the goods and services they provide are critically important to the larger military community in the region," Pallone said. "People have come to depend on these services and shouldn't have to travel further when Fort Monmouth closes. Keeping both of these facilities open will both save jobs and control costs moving forward."

Holt said, "It is vital that these facilities be kept open to benefit the men and women who have committed their lives to military service for our country."

"The economic impact of the fort's closure is unknown," said Assemblyman Declan O'Scanlon (R-Monmouth) a co-sponsor of the legislation. "but we do know what the fort presence has meant to the economy of Monmouth County for the last century. The make-up of this authority and the reach of its powers were of great concern to us and to the residents who will be most affected by the work of the authority. By allowing the municipal land use boards to determine density, and by making sure that people with a vested interest in the development of this area have a majority on the board, we've made the future economic success of Monmouth County a priority, as it should be."

The bill, S- 917, was sponsored by Sen. Jennifer Beck (R-Monmouth) and Assembly members Cryan (D-Union), Albert Coutinho (D-Essex), Angel Fuentes (D-Camden), Annette Quijano (D-Union) and Upendra Chivukula (D-Somerset).