Fort Monmouth's Russel Hall Will Hit The Open Market

One of Fort Monmouth's most iconic buildings, Russel Hall, will soon be available to outside buyers.

The Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority (FMERA) voted to make the building available through its request for offers to purchase (RFOTP) process on Wednesday night.

The 42,300 square foot, historic building is located on Sanger Avenue in the Oceanport Reuse Area of Fort Monmouth. It was built in 1936 and served as the Army's Garrison Headquarters.

The available property totals 6.5 acres and includes Sanger and Wallington Avenues and an adjacent heliport pad.

Oceanport Mayor Michael Mahon, who is a member of the FMERA Board, abstained from voting because of Oceanport's possible interest in the building as the future site of its borough hall. Oceanport Borough Hall was flooded by Hurricane Sandy and is still not fully functional.

"Are we going to honor the history at Russel Hall and the architectural integrity of the building," Freeholder Lillian Burry, another voting member of the FMERA Board, asked.

Board Chairman James Gorman said it would be and that the Army will nominate the building for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was slated to receive the building in the original Fort Monmouth Reuse Plan, but withdrew its request.

Now, the land use regulations permit residential low density, residential medium density, office/research, institutional/civic and open/space recreational uses for the property.

"It will generate a wide range of opportunities," Gorman said. "One or more local companies may be interested."