SANDY HOOK — Negotiations and talks are underway with two potential lessees through the pilot phase of the National Park Service redevelopment of Fort Hancock.
However, Gateway National Recreation Area officials are not saying who the potential lessees are.
John Warren, external affairs officer for the Gateway National Recreation Area, said he is not at liberty to say how many applications were received overall, but simply that they are entering negotiations with two parties interested in rehabilitating the buildings as residences.
In January, the National Park Service (NPS) issued three requests for proposals (RFPs), which marked the first round of a process that will eventually lease 33 of the fort’s 110 historical buildings.
The RFP’s were for six of the historic buildings, two of which will be leased for use as bed-and-breakfasts, two as residences or offices; and two for use by nonprofit or educational organizations.
The application deadline for the pilot project closed on April 17.
“The pilot project allowed flexibility and encouraged more interested lessees,” said Pam McLay, GATE Business Services & Partnerships, who discussed the status of the leasing effort at a Fort Hancock 21st Century Advisory Committee meeting held at Thompson Park in Lincroft on June 26.
McLay said lessees were struggling with the requirements for the Request for Proposals so they changed it to requests for bids (RFB), which detail requirements and historic standards.
“This opened the door for those not comfortable with writing a proposal,” she said. “We are still evaluating the process.”
McLay said the lessees are still subject to a panel review to ensure their plans demonstrate compatibility with the historic character of the structures and landscape; present no adverse effects to the environment; and would prove to be a benefit to the park.
Most of the buildings are vacant, but can be saved through adaptive reuse by future leaseholders.
McLay said a new leasing chief, Gordy Kito, was hired by the National Park Service and will visit Sandy Hook from July 13-15.
“He’s very enthusiastic and is looking forward to working with the committee,” she said.
Fort Hancock, located within the Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area, played a major role in the defense of New York Harbor beginning in the Colonial era.
The U.S. Army fort was established in 1895 and operated until it was deactivated in 1974.
The buildings are located within Fort Hancock and the Sandy Hook Proving Ground National Historic Landmark.
The six buildings available in the pilot program are in each of three categories chosen because they generated the most interest during the request-for-expressed-interest (RFEI) stage.
Buildings available to be used as “residential” and “residential/ office” may be selected from any two buildings located between Buildings 8-17 on Officers Row. Not-for-profit uses are available at any two buildings within the education and commercial area, including the former barracks and mess halls.
Bed-and-breakfast/lodging uses are permitted in Building 6 on Officers Row and Building 27, the former Bachelor Officers Quarters.
Warren said in the future, interested lessees will be able to apply for RFPs for the buildings; that option is not yet available.
The committee formed a working group to help to streamline the approvals process.
The next committee meeting will be held on Sept. 18 at a place to be determined.