Carole Balmer
Fate of Hook can
Guest Column
Carole Balmer
Fate of Hook can’t be left to self-serving businessmen
In these times of economic uncertainty and shaky national security, the federal government constantly reminds the public to exercise sensible prudence and absolute vigilance. However, when it comes to handing over the taxpayers’ park land (Sandy Hook’s Fort Hancock) to commercial developer Wassel Realty/Sandy Hook Partners for 60 years, the National Park Service (NPS) appears to be exempt from the same recommended judicious caution.
Similar disparities are mirrored in the serious misstatements and unfounded assumption contained within a recent letter submitted by Michael Huber of Middletown’s Locust section, that states the Wassel Realty plan is the "best way to save Sandy Hook’s Officers Club Row." Without confirmations of investors’ identities, financial statements and revenue/profit projections, noted and respected businessman Mr. Huber concludes that "the balance of uses ensures the economic feasibility of the project."
Since is initial proposal, Mr. James Wassel has had more than three years to get his financial act together, dig up investors and cite specific uses. Now, the NPS has granted Mr. Wassel yet another extension in time to come up with valid financiers and uses for each building, and also has provided Wassel Realty with rent-free office space/headquarters at Sandy Hook.
Mr. Huber claims "Retail establishments and permanent residential use will not be allowed." If Mr. Huber had actually read section 10.1, page 20 of the offered lease, he would have found "The lessee shall utilize the premises on a mixed basis … and may utilize portions of the premises for such food service, overnight accommodations, recreational activities, special events …" These retail uses are common to commercial projects and typical built-ins for strip malls, amusement parks, convention centers, motels, etc.
The Environmental Assessment prepared jointly with the NPS and Sandy Hook Partners (Wassel Realty), states Fort Hancock building No. 36, known as the "mule barn," has a proposed use as a cafe/bar. Regardless of what Mr. Huber opines, the NPS lease designed for Wassel Realty clearly permits "retail establishments," therefore fostering private-for-profit use of the public’s national park lands. It is inevitable that previously permitted free public access will be inhibited and/or prohibited by the new individual retail businesses.
Mr. Huber’s declaration that if Sandy Hook Partners "should fail financially at any time within the life of the lease, Sandy Hook Partners cannot change the permitted uses" is another idle supposition. The lease language allows for uses being changed with NPS approval at any time during the lease and any successor in title from Sandy Hook Partners (Wassel) would have the same rights.
Subsequent public review (mandatory hearings) on the changes is as vague as the testimony given at prior public meetings on the Wassel plan and each building’s usage. Absent site-specific plans and uses, the cumulative environmental impact from construction and long-range operation disturbance cannot be determined prior to the theoretical renovations and/or hypothetical restorations.
Finally, Mr. Huber maintains that "Mr. Wassel has developed a well-conceived plan regarding sources and uses of money and an operating budget that has a high probability of success." Private vested interests must not supersede that of the best interest of the taxpayers that have paid firsthand for Sandy Hook.
The significance of the Hook’s heritage is not found only in manmade edifices. Our forefathers’ farsightedness for a nature-made legacy belongs to future generations for learning about vanishing habitats, observing unobstructed migratory fly-ways, and enjoying the last undeveloped coastline in the metropolitan area with affordable unimpeded access to clean beaches and clear ocean waters.
The turn of a developer’s shovel must not undermine their foresight to save pristine ecosystems for those that follow. The fate of nature’s fragile balance and risks of ending life as we know it at the Hook cannot be left to the resolve of a few self-serving bottom-line businessmen. Public review, comment, full disclosure and oversight must be firmly established before any lease of our public lands is placed in private hands.
Carole Balmer is a resident of Holmdel and current Zoning Board of Adjustment member.