Politics & Government

FMERA's slow progress in anticipation of Sep. 15 base closing

The authority charge with Fort Monmouth's transition is moving toward solving housing, environmental and business issues.

The Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority (FMERA) met Wednesday to discuss progress made in the redevelopment of the fort property as it prepares to close in September.

An infrastructure report and business plan for the property is being developed by Matrix Design Group, which will be shared with FMERA upon completion. According to Otis Jones, director of Real Estate Development, once FMERA better understands the timeline for the transfer of property from the Army to the authority, it will be able to move forward with implementing plans.

“Our goal is to oversee the eventual transfer of the Fort Monmouth real and personal property in a timely, efficient and responsible manner that will allow for an optimized redevelopment and reuse of the property in consideration of economic, social and environmental factors,” said FMERA Secretary and Executive Director Bruce Steadman. “We want to help create an atmosphere whereby employers will employ, and investors will invest, so that the residents of Monmouth County and New Jersey will survive the closure of this fort and ultimately thrive.”

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The FMERA Housing Staff Advisory Committee met on Feb. 13 to discuss how to proceed on housing issues on the fort property, according to Charles Richman, chairman of the committee. He said that affordable housing plans will be governed by what the legislature and courts decide for the state.

The FMERA Environmental Staff Advisory Committee reported meeting on Jan. 10 and Feb. 15 to establish a baseline of all their environmental concerns with regards to the property. They recognized areas where these concerns have already been resolved, areas that are close to resolution, and areas that require more work, according to Michele Siekerka, who chairs the committee.

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FMERA Veteran’s Housing Committee has established a mission statement to “utilize Fort Monmouth’s resources to provide a veteran’s center for all veterans: past, present and future.” Chairperson Lillian Burry says the committee has broken into three subcommittees: the first will create a full-service veteran’s clinic to provide physical and mental healthcare; the second will establish an employment training and counseling center for transitioning veterans; and the third will provide welfare and recreation facilities “to establish a viable commissary and post exchange.”

“The committee concluded the only way to get anything done quickly, and with some permanency, was to go right to Washington,” said Burry. She said she had contacted Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04) and the Secretary of Veteran Affairs for assistance. Burry said she hoped the committee would be able to accomplish something with help “from the top down” within the next few weeks.

Wednesday's meeting also formalized James Gorman as FMERA chairman; Robert Lucky was confirmed to the Board of Directors; Michael Pane was voted in unanimously as vice chairman; and John DeBeck retired as program manager.

Going forward, Steadman promised that FMRA would concentrate on the "transition of real and personal property, environmental condition of the fort property, the infrastructure and business plan (based on reports primarily by Matrix working with our advisory committees to identify and resolve important issues), financial marketing, the marketability of specific fort areas and buildings, administrative and other.”


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