Public can now rent at Fort Monroe

By David Macaulay, 757-247-7838 Daily Press

7:54 a.m. EDT, July 22, 2011

HAMPTON

Fort Monroe marked another phase in its transition from a military post to a public community when its governing board announced that housing is available for rent to the public.

Previously, the 292 units of residential housing were only available to military families.

The Army will leave the post on Sept. 15, although a caretaker military presence will remain until next year. Title of the property will transfer to the commonwealth of Virginia in early 2012.

At Thursday's Fort Monroe Authority's board meeting, Jerry Moore, director of real estate for the authority, gave an update on property leasing.

The authority has as an agreement with Old Point Comfort Real Estate Services LLC which will manage residential and commercial leasing. The partnership includes Divaris for commercial property leasing and Frye Properties for residential leasing.

The supply of rental property, including apartments and houses, is limited, officials said.

The management of the Monroe Apartments was transferred to the authority in 2010. Of the 117 units in the Monroe Apartments, 94.9 percent are occupied and only six units are available for rent.

There are 111 properties currently leased at Fort Monroe on month-to-month leases, a 53 percent rate. "We are pretty pleased about that," Moore told board members.

A portfolio of 27 homes near the marina was transferred in February 2011 and a few are still available, according to the authority. The Phase 2 transfer will take place on Aug. 1, and will complete the transfer of all of the 292 residential properties on the post.

Thirty units are "off line" due to maintenance and other issues and four others may be demolished. Moore said a wall had separated in the Wherry Housing area.

"We're approaching a very important period in the future of Fort Monroe," said Terrie Suit, who chairs the board of the Fort Monroe Authority.

"Together with the city ofHampton we're working to build a strong future for this historic site," she said. "Many families have chosen to stay here and will continue to enjoy Fort Monroe's natural beauty and history."

Earlier this week, the authority announced that transfer to the state is being delayed.

During the meeting, Bill Armbruster, executive director of the authority, provided more details of the reasons why the Army has delayed the transfer of the title until 2012.

The Army still has a number of actions to complete at the post, he said, including the complete removal of all personal property needed for other military purposes, completion of environmental clean-up duties, and the mothballing of facilities that are not intended for immediate use.

For more photos, stories and videos on the past, present and future of Fort Monroe, go to http://www.dailypress.com/monroe.

Want to live on Fort Monroe?

Contact Old Point Comfort Real Estate Services at 757-723-4238 or email monroeapt@fryeproperties.com