Countdown to transition at Monroe

December 04, 2010 | By David Macaulay, dmacaulay@dailypress.com | 247-7838

HAMPTON — A detailed timeline of the transition of Fort Monroe from a military post to a public place has been provided by the executive director of the Fort Monroe Authority.

Although the Army won't be pulling out of Fort Monroe until Sept. 15, 2011, a gradual transition will take place throughout 2011 as the Fort Monroe Authority completes agreements and takes over functions from the military. Bill Armbruster provided a detailed plan at the Nov. 18 meeting of the board of the Fort Monroe Authority.

He said the authority is aiming for a "seamless transition" and has been helped by the fact the Training and Doctrine Command is only moving as far as Fort Eustis, meaning some military families are likely to continue to live at Fort Monroe.

"This gives us an opportunity to try and keep some of those families in the residential units that ordinarily would be scattered around to other installations around the country," Armbruster said.

The authority has already taken over management of some homes and is due to take over a second block of housing in the historic area in February, as well as some vacant retail and office space.

"We are moving ahead to take over this operation well in advance of the transition date in September," said Armbruster.

He said the Army will start its move in February and activities will intensify by July and August.

The state will ultimately own all of the property but parts of Fort Monroe are still in federal ownership. Armbruster hopes the negotiations on an economic development conveyance to the state will be completed in January, avoiding the need for litigation.

Before the end of this year the authority will hire a marketing firm and director. In December it hopes to establish a 501(c)(3) foundation, the Old Point Comfort Foundation, which will allow Fort Monroe to receive charitable donations.

By March the authority hopes to formalize agreements with organizations that are currently at Monroe such as Old Point Bank and the Chapel of the Centurion. Armbruster said these are among organizations that have expressed an interest in remaining on the post.

The authority also hopes to have a memorandum of understanding signed with the Army over the Casemate Museum, a facility the Army will continue to operate.

Other transfer dates include:

• Design standards for development are set to be drawn up in April
• A contraband commemoration event is slated for May
• Morale, Welfare and Recreation facilities are to close or transfer to the authority in June
• Operations at the Bay Breeze Community Club are scheduled to be transferred in July
• Another section of housing will be transferred to the authority in August along with facilities such as the marina restaurant, fitness center and auto craft shop

The authority wants a transition ceremony to be held in September, Armbruster said.

“We are working closely with the Army team to make sure this is not simply a closure event but it is actually a celebration of a new life for this community."

Transition Timeline

• Dec. 2010 – Old Point Comfort Foundation to be set up
• Jan. 2011 – Completion of talks on economic development conveyance
• Feb. 2011 – FMA takes over second increment of family housing and some office and retail space
• March 2011 – Environmental review of Fort Monroe completed
• April 2011 – Design standards for future development completed
• June 2011 – Some leisure facilities are transferred to FMA
• Aug. 2011 – Final increment of Army family housing is transferred; FMA takes over leisure facilities
• Sept. 2011 – FMA takes over running of Fort Monroe