Fort Monmouth: FMERA Board Taking Steps to Bring in Veterans' Community

A change to the original redevelopment plan for Fort Monmouth will allow a parcel to become a veterans' community.

At its May meeting, The Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority (FMERA) board made Fort Monmouth Parcel V1 available through the request for offers to purchase (RFOTP) process.

The 10-acre parcel is located along Alexander Avenue in Eatontown and is scheduled to be built into a veterans community. The community will provide permanent housing and assistance for homeless veterans.

There may be as many as 10,000 to 20,000 homeless veterans living in New Jersey, and upwards of 500 in Monmouth County alone, according to a FMERA newsletter.

“FMERA believes that a veterans community project situated on Parcel V-I will offer homeless veterans a unique, secure, attractive and safe living condition that will respect their privacy, encourage community participation, and provide a foundation for their growth and success,” FMERA Executive Director Bruce Steadman said in the newsletter

Parcel V-I was originally envisioned as open space, so a plan change amendment will be requrired to advance the veterans project.

"Parcel V-1 is located within the Phase Two area of the Fort, and any sale of the property is contingent on FMERA finalizing the Phase Two Memorandum of Agreement with the U.S. Army, which is currently being worked on," the newsletter states.