By Joshua Burd
A state agency is once again seeking offers for nearly 300 acres at Fort Monmouth, as it looks to bring another high-profile anchor to the historic former Army base.
The most recent request for offers to purchase follows a slight expansion of what the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority describes as the Mega Parcel, which straddles the boroughs of Eatontown and Oceanport, from 289 to 292 acres. It’s also the site that has drawn interest from streaming giant Netflix, which reportedly intended to bid on the property in hopes of creating a sprawling, state-of-the-art production facility with soundstages, postproduction buildings and backlot filming areas.
FMERA first solicited offers for the tract last fall, with a deadline of Jan. 12, but halted the process after the additional acreage became available. Responses to the new solicitation are due by noon on June 6.
“Supporting one or more key sectors, including but not limited to life sciences, information and high tech, clean energy, food and beverage and film and digital media, positions the Fort to further attract other business within and around the Fort Monmouth area,” FMERA wrote in an announcement Tuesday. “FMERA has a strong interest in bolstering the innovation economy to create more and better jobs locally, as well as throughout the state, and to further revitalize Fort Monmouth.”
The Mega Parcel is currently home to former residential, administrative and research and development buildings, warehouses, workshops and additional general-purpose facilities.
As it did before, authority said it would consider uses tied to high-wage, high-growth sectors identified in Gov. Phil Murphy’s innovation and economic development platform, in addition to the goals outlined in a long-held reuse plan for the iconic 1,126-acre property.
FMERA also cited potential concepts such as a regional cultural and entertainment hub that can include performance centers, theaters, film and television production facilities and museums. Per the request for offers to purchase, such proposals are examples of permissible uses, the agency said, but are not the only concepts that it will consider.
The Mega Parcel is located adjacent to Route 35, providing easy access to the Garden State Parkway, Route 18 and NJ Transit bus lines, as well as Oceanport Avenue. The recently expanded boundary now incorporates the site that was formerly known as the Bowling Center, which was slated for redevelopment before a prospective buyer reportedly scrapped the plan.
NYT: Netflix to bid on 289-acre Fort Monmouth parcel, eyeing massive production hub
