By Laura D.C. Kolnoski
FOR T MONMOUTH – When the ground proved too soggy for a literal groundbreaking April 15, the kickoff of the transformation of Fort Monmouth’s former bowling center into the new Alley at the Fort moved inside, giving attendees the opportunity to view the original interior one last time.
The sale of the 2.5-acre bowling alley parcel to Rumson-based Parker Creek Partners from the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority (FMERA) was finalized March 31. Construction is expected to begin shortly to expand and upgrade the facility at 1301 Avenue of Memories (Route 537 through the fort), in the Eatontown section. The renovated enter tainment space will include 20 bowling lanes, two dining areas, bocce courts, pool tables, shuffleboard and private party rooms.
“We determined the best of use of this building was to restore it to its original use as a bowling alley,” said Alley at the Fort co-owner/ operator Mikaela Milano. “We are modernizing the 17,600-square-foot facility and adding a full-service restaurant.”
The facility is located at the hear t of the 1,126-acre former U.S. Army base, near other venues being redeveloped for recreation and enter tainment uses. Several new residential projects are planned, under construction or already occupied throughout the fort, which spans portions of Eatontown, Oceanport and Tinton Falls.
“The redevelopment of the Bowling Center breathes new life into an outdated property that once served as a center of entertainment for those stationed at Fort Monmouth,” Bruce Steadman, FMERA executive director, said.
In August 2020, the project was granted one of 12 liquor licenses created specifically for Fort Monmouth projects. Parker Creek Partners paid $1.35 million for the property. As per 2019 FMERA documents, the new owners are projected to invest about $5.2 million in the redevelopment and create 22 permanent, full-time, and/or part-time jobs at the finished establishment, in addition to construction jobs as work progresses.
Among those in attendance at the limited-capacity indoor “groundbreaking” where masks bearing the alley’s logo were distributed, were local and county officials, architects and designers, owners and others involved in the effort. Proclamations celebrating the redevelopment project were presented by Assemblywoman Joann Downey (D-11) on behalf of the New Jersey Assembly, and Thomas A. Arnone, director of the Monmouth County Board of Commissioners.
“This is another project that will continue to be part of the rejuvenation of the former U.S. Army base,” Arnone said. “It will generate jobs as well as a recreational component, bringing back a way of life at the fort’s heart.
“Eatontown is extremely excited,” said an ebullient Eatontown Mayor Anthony Talerico Jr. “Going back to when the fort’s redevelopment was initiated over 10 years ago, people have always asked about the status of the bowling alley and whether it could be saved. A lot of us who grew up here rode our bikes to bowl here. This kicks off Eatontown’s rebir that the fort.”
Also in attendance was former state Sen. Joe Kyrillos. “I think this will be a very popular spot and a destination for locals and the entire region,” he said. “There has been an immense outpouring of support from the community,” Milano said. “The Army left it in great condition for us.”
After she told those gathered that the owners were applying to add an arcade, Talerico interjected, “No one in Eatontown will say no to an arcade.”
Architect Gerry Spanola of Architrave Group PC, Red Bank, said the main structure of the building will be retained, while the sides and front will be expanded. One bar will be created for the alleys and another for the restaurant. There will also be an outdoor dining section.
Officials said that when the 100-year-old fort was a fully operational military installation it had 5 million square feet of building area. Some 70 percent of that, much of it outdated, is targeted for demolition. Nearly 80 percent of the fort has been sold, is under contract, in negotiations, or entering the request for proposals process. FMERA, an independent state authority overseeing its redevelopment, has so far sold 29 fort parcels. Another 10 parcels are under contract or have board approved contracts.
This article was originally published in the April 22-28, 2021 print edition of The Two River Times.
