By Kenny Walter
Staff Writer
FORT MONMOUTH- A cultural center is being considered for the site of the former housing barracks in the Eatontown section of Fort Monmouth.
The Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority (FMERA) issued a Request for Offers to Purchase (RFOTP) for the former barracks on July 1, with responses due by Aug. 29.
The 4.4-acre parcel has six buildings on it that were formerly used as housing barracks and later converted to administrative buildings.The six buildings are two-story wood frame buildings that were originally constructed in 1942.
“FMERA staff believes that the property’s six barracks buildings hold potential for preservation and reuse for several reasons,” the RFOTP stated. “First, all of the other remaining World War II barracks on Fort Monmouth are also slated for demolition.
“Second, staff believes the property could be adaptively reused as a unique musician, actor/actress or artist space. Third, if devoted to an arts-related use, the barracks will benefit from their proximity to Soldiers Park, with the park functioning occasionally as outdoor art exhibition or performance space, a concept embraced by the Reuse Plan at other locations on the Fort.”
Along with a price plan, potential purchasers are required to submit a redevelopment plan for the property.
Under the Fort Monmouth Redevelopment and Reuse plan, the developer is required to either reuse the buildings as a cultural center that promotes the arts, music, entertainment or a museum, including up to 12 units of musicians, actors, actresses or artist short-term tenancy and studio space or a non-residential music, drama or arts based use.
According to the RFOTP only limited stay or temporary housing proposals will be considered.
The developer is also responsible to maintain Soldiers Park, which contains two monuments, as open space.
While the majority of the property is located in the Eatontown portion of the fort, a small part is located in Oceanport. According to the RFOTP, FMERA will work with the two municipalities to modify the municipal boundary lines so that the entire property is located in Eatontown.