Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority Unveils Plans for Technology Campus at Fort Monmouth
The Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority (FMERA) hosted a showcase last week for the McAfee Complex, one of the most highly-anticipated development sites at the Fort.
The approximately 50-acre McAfee Complex in Oceanport features one of the newest buildings remaining on Fort Monmouth and is suitable for reuse as a technology park or innovation campus. The approximately 89,000-square-foot building, constructed in 1997, features a 16-foot loading dock, eight 2,400-square-foot raised-floor dry labs, and an anechoic chamber.
More than two dozen people representing the real estate and technology industries attended the July 25 event. Representatives of FMERA presented the goals for the project, an overview of the redevelopment plan, updates on recent development at the Fort, and a tour of the building.
The growing number of technology companies on Fort Monmouth, as well as interest from research and development institutions, has influenced FMERA’s redevelopment approach for the McAfee Complex and indicates a strong appetite for the development of a technology and innovation cluster in Central New Jersey. Potential incubator or accelerator operators with university relationships have also reached out to FMERA to express interest in establishing a location within the Fort’s new “tech” campus—another indicator of the high level of potential for the successful development of a dynamic and thriving “tech” community.
“Fort Monmouth is an ideal location for a technology campus,” FMERA Deputy Executive Director Dave Nuse said. “In addition to our central location and proximity to public transit, Fort Monmouth has a growing community of tech companies and entrepreneurs, as well as established amenities, residential options, and impressive corporate and institutional anchors. These assets, combined with our live-work-play master plan, make us well-positioned to develop the next tech hub at the Jersey Shore.”
The reuse and expansion of the McAfee Center provides an opportunity to not only pay homage to Fort Monmouth’s rich history in innovation, but also to create a large number of tech-focused jobs for the area’s existing, highly-educated workforce. FMERA is in the process of finalizing the core components of the Requests for Offers to Purchase (RFOTP) and intends to issue an RFOTP this fall, subject to Board approval.
The redevelopment of Fort Monmouth is a multi-year reinvestment and repurposing of a former military installation that served as the US leader in satellite and telecom technology. The primary goal of the Fort Monmouth Reuse and Redevelopment Plan is to repurpose and return the Fort to a vibrant environment, create jobs and catalyze economic growth in each of the three towns and the region. The plan strives to balance development with the protection and enhancement of natural resources, while also creating an ecosystem complete with business, culture, and 21st-century living.