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Washington, D.C. --- U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) sent the following letter today to the National Park Service seeking funds from the Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act to restore Fort Hancock's history buildings. The law included $589 million for the National Park Service for the repair of historical resources.
Pallone wrote: "The funds available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act are a tremendous opportunity to finally turn the page in what has been a process full of setbacks. I encourage the National Park Service to immediately request the appropriate funds to begin the restoration of the historic buildings at Fort Hancock."
March 11, 2009
Ms. Mary A. Bomar
Director
National Park Service
1849 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20240
Dear Ms. Bomar:
I am writing to request that the National Park Service (NPS) seek economic recovery funds to restore Fort Hancock's historic buildings at the Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area. Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the NPS has access to $589 million provided for the repair of historical resources within the system.
Fort Hancock is a former United States Army fort located in Middletown Township in Monmouth County, along the Atlantic coast of eastern New Jersey. The Fort has tremendous historical significance to the state of New Jersey and its historic integrity should be preserved.
Unfortunately, the NPS has entered into a lease agreement with Sandy Hook Partners (SHP) to redevelop Fort Hancock. Under the terms of the lease, SHP, which is owned by Mr. James Wassel, agreed to renovate 36 of Fort Hancock's 100 buildings. The conceptual plans indicated that redevelopment would include the opening of private businesses such as bed and breakfasts and cafes in the renovated buildings. It was this over-commercialization of the Fort that initially led me to oppose the plan.
There have been serious questions regarding Mr. Wassel's ability to produce the necessary funds to move forward with the three-phase project. Those fears have been realized over the last four years as NPS has granted Mr. Wassel repeated lease extensions due to SHP's lack of financial resources. The fact that SHP has consistently been unable to show proof of financing, something that should have been required by NPS before his lease was initially extended, should be enough for NPS to cancel the current lease.
The funds available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act are a tremendous opportunity to finally turn the page in what has been a process full of setbacks. I encourage the National Park Service to immediately request the appropriate funds to begin the restoration of the historic buildings at Fort Hancock.
I appreciate your prompt attention to this matter, and should you require any further information from my staff or me, please do not hesitate to contact my office.
Sincerely,
FRANK PALLONE, JR.
Member of Congress
CC: Superintendent, Dave Avrin, Gateway National Recreation Area
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