Guest Column
Preservation New Jersey supports Sandy Hook Partners proposal for Fort Hancock
Ron Emrich
Guest Column
Preservation New Jersey supports Sandy Hook Partners proposal for Fort Hancock
Opponents of the proposed public/private partnership to preserve, rehabilitate and appropriately reuse some 36 of the 260 historic buildings and sites at the National Historic Landmark Fort Hancock on Sandy Hook are dismayed that the National Park Service (NPS) is, as they describe it, "giving away" public land. Yet, those who oppose this project still do not propose a realistic, achievable alternative plan.
Yes, it would be wonderful if the federal government stepped in with several hundred million dollars to rehabilitate the buildings of Fort Hancock. But it is unrealistic and misleading to suggest that it will happen.
Preservation New Jersey, the statewide nonprofit education organization that advocates for preservation of New Jersey’s built heritage, supports the park service’s plan for the preservation and adaptive use of selected buildings at Fort Hancock. The alternative to carefully monitored rehabilitation by a private-sector partner and appropriate and compatible uses of the sites is ever-increasing deterioration and ultimately destruction of the historic buildings of Fort Hancock.
A recent analysis conducted by the National Park Service adds up the estimated costs just to address the backlog of basic maintenance of the 263 historic buildings, structures and sites on Sandy Hook, many of them deteriorating rapidly. Of the buildings evaluated to date, basic maintenance and repair are estimated to require in excess of $130 million. The total deferred maintenance costs rise higher each month.
This figure does not include the costs to rehabilitate buildings for appropriate uses. Therefore, finding new and compatible uses for many of the Fort’s buildings and a partner prepared to commit private resources to the effort will help ensure the historic buildings‚ and sites‚ long-term survival. The proposed public/private development agreement at Fort Hancock offers a realistic and achievable solution to the persistent underfunding and neglect by a federal government that does not provide the financial support to fully protect the nation’s historic and natural resources.
Nationally, the total maintenance backlog across the national parks system is $600 billion, and the current administration proposes a mere 3 percent increase in the NPS budget.
It is also unrealistic to expect scores of millions of dollars in private donations from foundations and corporations. Important historic preservation projects across the region and the country go begging for a fraction of these amounts of money. Look no further than present efforts to raise private funds to re-open the Statue of Liberty.
Fort Hancock on Sandy Hook is indeed a very historic place, and should be "preserved as it is," as called for by Sen. Frank Lautenberg.
In the end we can’t have it both ways. We have to choose to save the Fort and accept a private role in the park, just as has been the case in Yellowstone, Grand Canyon and many other national parks for generations. Or we must accept that Fort Hancock will be lost.
Fort Hancock embodies a 200-year story of American bravery and commitment and celebrates the contribution of generations of men and women who defended the nation on Sandy Hook. We should not disrespect that story by allowing it to continue to fall into ruins.
Ron Emrich is the executive director of Preservation New Jersey,