Guest Column
Developer addresses misinformation about fort
Jim Wassel
Guest Column
Developer addresses misinformation about fort
I want to address the misinformation regarding the historic rehabilitation of Fort Hancock, and to invite you to a presentation of our plans Dec. 6 at 1 p.m. at the Post Theater.
The project opponents continue to use inference to cause misunderstanding among our neighbors, colleagues, tenants and investors in order to try to delay the project.
As a National Historic Landmark, strict regulations delineate the uses/operations of the fort. There can be no new construction, no South Street Seaport-type retail facilities, no multi-story hotel, no shopping mall or huge convention center.
Sen. Joseph M. Kyrillos Jr., in his letter to National Park Service Director Fran Mainella, wrote, "The creation of a year-round community of education, research, recreation, cultural arts and hospitality sharing common goals and an appreciation of history, the environment and unique shoreline setting of Fort Hancock is something I believe in promoting. I will continue to support projects such as this rehabilitation because they contribute to the quality of life."
We have requested meetings with project opponents to share our intention to expand on the marine/environmental research and education that are being conducted by existing tenants such as the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), Marine Sciences Consortium, Rutgers University and Brookdale Community College. Infrastructure improvements, such as technology, dependable utilities and state-of-the-art meeting facilities will enhance their working environment and the campus.
Our hyperbaric center will provide research and educational capabilities for existing partners, area universities, regional hospitals and the health-care industry.
Corporate learning, training and leadership programs will provide additional opportunities, including technology partnerships, simulation environments, productivity seminars, and the sharing of intellectual capital between our universities and industry leaders.
Everyone is involved in the learning business from primary school to graduate school, from municipal offices to corporate boardrooms and from science and technology to the arts. Philosopher John Dewey said, "Education is not preparation for life, education is life itself." Our business plan is modeled around the concept of learning.
Through existing interpretive programs, and planned programs including work-study opportunities in the marine sciences, hospitality, the arts, technology and cultural events, the fort will incorporate learning for people of all ages.
Some have said there is no history to save. Tell that to the thousands of men and women who have been stationed here through both world wars and the Cold War.
The fort is one of our nation’s few designated National Historic Landmarks and our state’s Historic Preservation Office’s most endangered sites.
Tom Daly stated, "If we do not preserve our history by allowing our historic sites to become active living parts of our communities for our children and our children’s children, then we have no one to blame but ourselves when we have lost them forever."
Efforts to create a military museum/club to honor our veterans and our soldiers, to save our history and to educate our children include an advisory board comprised of four-star generals, corporate and community leaders.
Sandy Hook Partners is a for-profit entity. It is our responsibility to raise the capital for the historic rehabilitation, to upgrade the utilities and the infrastructure, and to manage the fort.
The president’s executive order, Preserve America, states, "It is the policy of the federal government to provide leadership in preserving America’s heritage – by pursuing partnerships with the private sector to promote the preservation of the unique cultural heritage of communities – and to realize the economic benefit that these properties can provide."
I commend the Park Service for its commitment to the public process – including open houses, public hearings and traffic studies to listen to the public and to address concerns.
Two traffic studies have concluded there will be minimal impact on Route 36.
From Monday to Friday, our clients’ reverse commute is in the opposite direction from our neighbors and friends who are heading to and from work. And we are working on water transportation alternatives.
Mayor Edward McKenna – in the Two River Mayors Council’s endorsement – stated, "We have considered many of the issues raised by the public to include traffic and the alleged commercialization of Fort Hancock.
After all those deliberations we wish to reaffirm our earlier position and provide our unequivocal and unanimous support for the lease agreement with Sandy Hook Partners."
Our thanks to the elected officials, individuals and professional organizations that have given us the benefit of your expertise and support, and helped to shape the vision of the historic rehabilitation.
Jim Wassel is the president of Sandy Hook Partners