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Gov. Phil Murphy on Friday visited Fort Monmouth to sign the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority’s recent meeting minutes, marking another step in the plan to bring a massive Netflix studio campus to the Eatontown and Oceanport sections of the former base. — Courtesy: Governor’s Office via X
By Joshua Burd
The plan to build a sprawling Netflix studio complex at Fort Monmouth received a fresh vote of confidence on Friday as Gov. Phil Murphy visited the property alongside the streaming giant’s co-CEO, touting the plan and New Jersey’s growing film and television industry.
The visit came just days after the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority, a state agency, announced a key procedural step toward amending its master redevelopment plan for the 1,126-acre former U.S. Army base. That was enough to draw a visit from not only Murphy, who signed the authority’s recent meeting minutes, but Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos, nearly a year after FMERA approved the company’s bid to buy some 300 acres in the Eatontown and Oceanport sections, where it would build more than 500,000 square feet of soundstages and other facilities at a cost of nearly $850 million.
“Netflix’s historic investment in Fort Monmouth’s future, which will generate thousands of union jobs and significant revenue, is a testament to our broader strategy when it comes to establishing New Jersey as the Northeastern home for film and entertainment,” Murphy said. “This campus is no longer a painful reminder of economic decline and disinvestment. Instead, Fort Monmouth now stands as a symbol of renewal and revived hope. With this facility, many of our hardworking and talented residents will have the opportunity to participate in the film and television industry right here in our state while local businesses will benefit from an increase in customers. I thank Netflix and our partners in both government and labor for their support in advancing this crucial project.”
Earlier in the week, FMERA announced that it had voted to submit the redevelopment plan amendment for public comment, seeking to formalize an alternative development scenario for the so-called Mega Parcel that was home to a host of Army facilities. Murphy’s team on Friday made a rare reference to his approval of meeting minutes, which are subject to a 10-day governor’s veto period under state law, while noting that the amendment would pave the way for a new affordable housing component on the Fort.
Netflix’s investment would amount to the largest project in both scale and investment in Fort Monmouth’s history, adding to more than 30 other redevelopment projects that have already commenced since the military shuttered the base in 2011, Murphy’s office said. The East Coast production facility is estimated to create thousands of largely union jobs, including more than 3,500 construction-related posts and more than 1,500 permanent production jobs.
In addition to the 12 soundstages, which would be new construction, Netflix would also redevelop existing structures for other purposes such as studio backlots and office space, along with a host of other uses in support of production activities, according to a news release.
“Netflix Studios Fort Monmouth will drive significant economic growth and create meaningful job opportunities for people in New Jersey while boosting the vibrant production ecosystem here in the state where the modern film industry was born,” Sarandos said. “While we still have a lot of work to do, we’re excited to continue partnering with Governor Murphy, local officials, and the community as we work to transform this historic space into a world-class production facility.”
Murphy’s office added that, since FMERA and Netflix went under contract last December, the streamer has continued working to obtain the additional approvals necessary to make the project a reality. The governor’s visit and approval of the authority’s meeting minutes will now send the amendment to both host municipalities for consideration and public comment.
FMERA also noted last week that an updated reuse and redevelopment plan would have to consider the studio campus’ impact on residential uses in Eatontown and Oceanport, including new affordable housing that is required by the New Jersey Fair Housing Act.
“The investment by Netflix will help transform the Fort Monmouth property into a state-of-the-art film facility, creating high-paying jobs and generating economic activity for the region and the state,” state Senate President Nick Scutari said. “New Jersey’s legacy as the birthplace of the movie industry will be rejuvenated with a modern center for film and television production that will create economic benefits for years to come.”
Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin added: “It’s fitting that we are welcoming the film industry home to its roots in New Jersey for its next chapter. This investment in innovation will be a boon to our entire economy, starting with good union jobs. This is a testament to federal, state and local government working together with the private sector to realize the value of an asset like Fort Monmouth for the benefit of the entire community to thrive and grow.”
Fort Monmouth master plan update, key step for Netflix campus, submitted for public comment
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