Gov. Kaine signs reuse plan for Fort Monroe after it's vacated

By Kate Wiltrout
The Virginian-Pilot
© August 19, 2008

Wednesday, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine will tour Fort Monroe, the military base the Army will vacate in 2011. Today, he signed a reuse plan that serves as a blueprint for what happens when the Army leaves the historic property in Hampton along the Chesapeake Bay.

Kaine’s signature means the reuse plan, developed over the past 18 months by the Fort Monroe Federal Area Development Authority, now goes to the Department of Defense for approval.

The plans call for protecting the historic character of the 570-acre post, which the Army began using in 1819, by keeping historic structures continually occupied, restricting development within the moated stone fortress, and ensuring new construction outside the fortress follows strict architectural and design guidelines.

The plan also emphasizes the importance of generating revenue to offset the cost of caring for infrastructure and providing basic services.

In a statement, Kaine said the plan "ensures this spectacular and historic property will be enjoyed by many generations to come."

Fort Monroe was slated for closure in 2005 as part of the federal base realignment and closure process. Most personnel are being reassigned to nearby Fort Eustis and Fort Knox, Ky.