Timetable for FMERPA reuse plan abbreviated Consultants have seven months to draft master plan BY LINDA DeNICOLA Staff Writer The reuse plan for Fort Monmouth will be completed in a condensed period of time, according to master plan consultants hired by the fort reuse authority. Timothy N. Delorm, vice president, and Todd Poole, director of economic planning, for EDAW Inc. outlined their plans at the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Planning Authority's most recent meeting held in the Eatontown municipal building May 16. They told the authority that it usually takes from 12 to 18 months to come up with a draft plan for a closed military installation, but they planned to complete the draft reuse plan by the Dec. 8 deadline set by the Department of Defense. Delorm said he felt secure saying that the firm will get it done in seven months, although, he said, the company has never before had to work in such a short time span. He explained that EDAW has planned the redevelopment of about 60 military installations nationwide since 1988. Among them are projects including the Fort Devens Reuse Plan, Mass.; Philadelphia Navy Yard Master Plan; and Fort McPherson Vision Plan, Atlanta. DeLorm said preliminary work could begin within the week when traffic studies will be collected from Eatontown, Oceanport and Tinton Falls, as well as from the county. Last month the FMERFA board voted to engage EDAW Inc., a consulting firm with many offices including in New York and Alexandria, Va., as the reuse and redevelopment planning consultant at a cost of $1 million. The contract runs through April 25, 2009, and can be extended if necessary. But, said FMERPA chairperson, Robert Lucky at the April authority meeting, "We have to give the master plan to the Department of Defense in eight months." With the approval of a master planning firm, FMERPA begins the multi-faceted work of mapping out the redevelopment of Fort Monmouth, which covers approximately 1,126 acres and three towns. FMERPA was created under state statute to develop a comprehensive conversion and revitalization plan for Fort Monmouth. The base redevelopment plan is charged that "balances homeless needs with economic and community development needs." According to a press release provided by FMERPA, EDAW will lead a team of associated professionals that includes market and economics professionals; environmental consultants specializing in base reuse analysis and conveyance mechanisms; transportation and infrastructure engineers; historic preservation experts; community participation experts; architectural specialists; planners with a focus on compliance with statutory requirements including COAH and affordable housing; and public relations experts who will coordinate all public communications to ensure the three communities and Monmouth County are informed. FMERPA Director Frank Cosentino said he feels confident that the reuse plan can be done in a condensed time period. "Typically, it would take a longer period of time to do a plan of this magnitude and complexity. It is less than seven months. "I had been in the business of development for 20 years before coming here," he said. "I understand the complexity of the perimeters that they have to assess, but we all understood what the time ranges were. I feel confident that a collaborative effort, which includes the municipalities, is essential to getting it done in time," he said, adding that the collaboration also includes the public. "It is a plan that will evolve from the comments coming from the public and municipalities." Cosentino said, "We look forward to a meeting of the general public in mid-June. He explained that the meeting will be the first big planning meeting with the public. It will be held before the next FMERPA meeting on June 20. "We want people to be aware and involved to the degree that it is feasible."