Netflix at Fort Monmouth: Why these road swaps were vital for movie studio to get built

Dan Radel, Asbury Park Press

OCEANPORT - The two road swaps that are vital to Netflix's studio plans at Fort Monmouth were approved this week by the fort's redevelopment team.

The swaps are a small but significant step in the process, because without them, Netflix could have technically walked away from the fort, not that such a dramatic step was a likely outcome. But, as has been the case since the first whispers of Netflix's move here, the pieces continue to fall into place for the streaming giant.

Last month the zoning was approved for Netflix's plan to build its state-of-the-art television and motion picture studio production campus with 12 sound stages, backlots, two hotels and a helipad, along with many ancillary buildings.

Both of the roads are in the heart of the 292-acre Mega Parcel, which Netflix is under contract to purchase, and run between the Avenue of Memories and Sherril Avenue, where New Jersey City University has its satellite campus. They border three studio development zones — 1, 4 and 7 — and portions lie in either Eatontown and Oceanport.

The Mega Parcel. Development Zones 1-9 will be part of Netflix's motion picture, television and broadcast studios at the former Fort Monmouth. Zones 10-12 are not part of Netflix's zones and are set aside for affordable housing and a homeless shelter.
The Mega Parcel. Development Zones 1-9 will be part of Netflix's motion picture, television and broadcast studios at the former Fort Monmouth. Zones 10-12 are not part of Netflix's zones and are set aside for affordable housing and a homeless shelter.

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No portions of Avenue of Memories will be vacated in the construction of the production studios.

The first road, Wilson Avenue, was previously owned by Monmouth County. The county voted March 14 to convey the road to Netflix. A small portion of Wilson Avenue is still owned by the U.S. Army and pursuant to a separate agreement between the Fort Monmouth Economic Redevelopment Authority and the Army, it will be conveyed at a later time.

The other road is Malterer Avenue. This road is being vacated by FMERA and turned over to the county to make up for the loss of Wilson. FMERA approved the swap on Wednesday and the county commissioners will vote to take ownership of the road on March 28.

An artistic rendering of the proposed Netflix Studios Fort Monmouth.
An artistic rendering of the proposed Netflix Studios Fort Monmouth.

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Wilson Avenue will lie entirely in the Netflix campus and will most likely be off limits to general traffic. Netflix will construct a cul-de-sac at its own cost at the junction of Sherrill Avenue.

Malterer will belong to the county, but Netflix will pay for and construct intersection improvements as a small section of the road that borders the Mega Parcel. Malterer must remain open to the public, as it provides access to sites that are not part of the Netflix production campus such as the renovated Dance Hall, now called Park Loft and a full-service luxury wedding and special event venue, as well as Triumphant Life Church and New Jersey City University's campus.

Fort Monmouth history: From poison ivy and pigeons to Netflix TV production

When Jersey Shore native Dan Radel is not reporting the news, you can find him in a college classroom where he is a history professor. Reach him @danielradelapp; 732-643-4072; dradel@gannettnj.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Netflix at Fort Monmouth: Why these road swaps were vital

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