Boujee Foodie Con is returning to the grounds of Fort Monmouth in Oceanport on June 1-2. In year two, this outdoor, one-of-a-kind, elevated food festival, mixed with music, games, experiences and more, will be bigger and “boujee-er.”

New and improved this year will be a larger number of food vendors bringing more food to meet the high demand of hungry attendees.

Additionally, there will be a Boujee VIP tented area, limited complimentary samples, a larger bar area and more activities to experience. Live music performances and entertainment will also be on hand throughout the day, including an appearance by Thunder 106 DJs and a country line dancing experience.

The tented area on the grounds surrounding Russel Hall of historic Fort Monmouth will feature some the hottest local restaurants, independent eateries and unique food and beverage providers in the area. Attendees can purchase and taste a variety of samplings from local and regional establishments. The list of participants continues to grow and with a wide variety of offerings there will be something to satisfy every palate.

The event will feature some of the hottest restaurants and food trucks from the Jersey Shore, including:

“We’re thrilled to be back this year and excited to bring an even bigger and better event to the community,” CW Events founder, Renee Lam-Whiteman said. “We had close to 5,000 attendees last year and have been working hard to top last year’s experience. A lot more restaurants and vendors are interested in participating this year, based on the success of our first event.”

Co-organizer, Melanie Carpenter adds: “The response to Boujee Foodie last year was beyond our dreams. The success was a true testament to the extraordinary and diverse food scene in this area and the growing demand of residents from near and far for events like these.”

Other exciting additions this year include the Red Bank Exotic Car Club, Nicol Squash pickleball and squash court experience and new carnival games. On the main stage will be musical performances by RUBIX KUBE: The ‘80s Strike Back Show, So Watt, Earth Monkeys and Tess Cameron.

Once again, as one of the event’s main sponsors and owner of the event location, TetherView CEO Michael Abboud is donating 100% of the rent proceeds to Oceanport first responders. Additional sponsors include Atlantis Mortgage and Nicol Rackets, featuring everything squash and pickleball opening soon on the grounds of Fort Monmouth.

Tickets can be purchased in advance for $15 here or $20 on the day of the event at the gate. Price of admission covers security, shuttle service to free parking lots, access to the car show, line dancing class, entry to win free concert tickets from Thunder 106, carnival games, face painting, photo ops, limited samples from the food vendors and live music all day. Children under 10 are admitted free.

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The forward momentum of the planned Netflix production hub at Fort Monmouth continued during a Nov. 3 signing ceremony in Oceanport.

Flanked by lawmakers and officials from the state, county and local levels as well as labor representatives and Netflix officials, including co-CEO Ted Sarandos, Gov. Phil Murphy approved the recent Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority (FMERA) meeting minutes, which allows the Netflix project to continue moving forward, while also paving the way for a new affordable housing component at Fort Monmouth.

NJBIZ reported about that meeting Oct. 31, in which FMERA’s board approved the transmittal of proposed Plan Amendment #20 – sending the amendment to host municipalities for consideration and public comment and paving the way for the development by moving the process to the public comment and review phase.

Nearly one year ago, Netflix was selected as the winning bidder for Fort Monmouth’s “Mega Parcel.” The streaming giant will pay $55 million for the land, along with plans to commit nearly $850 million in capital investments to develop a state-of-the-art production facility on a 292-acre parcel that spans Oceanport and Eatontown.

This East Coast production hub will include 12 soundstages – comprised of over 500,000 square feet of new development – that will lead to the creation of thousands of largely union jobs.

Since FMERA authorized the redevelopment agreement in December 2022, officials say Netflix has continued working to obtain the additional approvals necessary to make the project a reality.

On Friday, Murphy said the approval of the FMERA meeting minutes was another important step in the process.

Murphy opened his remarks by shouting out the efforts of FMERA for breathing life into and spearheading redevelopment at the shuttered fort, pointing to a slew of new businesses that have opened.

“We are gathered to celebrate a truly revolutionary investment in – not only Fort Monmouth’s future – but our entire state’s future,” said Murphy. “Over the next several years, in partnership with our friends at Netflix, we are going to transform this historic campus into a state-of-the-art film and television production hub.”

When complete, Murphy said that the project will mark the state’s largest production facility in its history.

“So, now more than ever, New Jersey is ready for its closeup,” Murphy added.

He stressed that they are trying to move this process along and accelerate this project as quickly as possible.

“That simply is because our state’s families and businesses should not have to wait one more moment than they have to – to access the new jobs and opportunities that will come with this,” said Murphy. “That goes for every corner of New Jersey – but especially right here in Monmouth County.”

‘An absolute windfall’

Murphy stressed this campus will no longer be a painful reminder of economic decline and disinvestment.

“Instead, Fort Monmouth now stands as a symbol of renewal and revived hope,” said Murphy. “With this facility, many of our hard-working and talented residents will have the opportunity to participate in the film and television industry right here in our state while local businesses will benefit from an increase in customers.”

Sarandos noted that this was a coming-home moment, because he was born at Monmouth County Medical Center and has family roots in the Garden State.

The Netflix co-CEO thanked the governor and his team, as well as lawmakers and other officials, for their support in helping to move the project forward quickly — acknowledging there was still much to do.

“It really does take a village everywhere you go – and we definitely have found that here in New Jersey,” said Sarandos. “I’m extremely proud of our investment in New Jersey. I’m thrilled to deepen our relationship with this community through this project. Netflix Studios Fort Monmouth will drive significant economic growth and create meaningful job opportunities for people in New Jersey while boosting the vibrant production ecosystem here in the state where the modern film industry was born.”

Sarandos said that Netflix’s goal for the production hub was to benefit everyone in the area and to produce world-class, high-quality productions right here in the Garden State.

“I hope one day you will see ‘Filmed in New Jersey’ on your favorite Netflix show or film,” said Sarandos. “While we still have a whole lot of work to do, we’re excited to continue partnering with Gov. Murphy, local officials, and the community as we work to transform this historic space into a world-class production facility.”

Power 50

Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority Executive Director Kara Kopach was just named No. 10 on the 2023 Commercial Real Estate Power 50. Click here to see who else made this year’s list.

“A project of this scale has the potential not only to create thousands of jobs but will also result in significant investment on the Fort, and spur local development in support of the project,” said FMERA Executive Director Kara Kopach. “The magnitude of Netflix’s investment is an absolute windfall for our stakeholders and the State of New Jersey. We’re eager to see this come to fruition.”

“New Jersey is an ideal choice for studios looking to invest in large-scale production facilities,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “Gov. Murphy’s holistic approach to nurturing the state’s film industry is helping to ensure our communities are poised to attract leading studios like Netflix, who will revitalize a long vacant area of the former Fort and create good-paying union jobs and opportunities for small businesses.”

“Today is a great day for the state of New Jersey and its residents, with the construction of the Netflix project at the former Fort Monmouth facility,” said Thomas De Bartolo, president of Monmouth & Ocean Counties Building and Construction Trades Council. “This project will create good-paying union jobs and help the surrounding communities with an influx of economic development.”

New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA) President and CEO Michele Siekerka said that jobs and innovation are at the heart of this New Jersey-Netflix partnership.

“Just as they were throughout Fort Monmouth’s rich history,” she said. “Netflix’s capital investments will result in future-proof production industry jobs that will help bolster our state’s economy and enhance our identity as a national go-to for both small and large productions. Netflix’s presence will also bring positive results for neighboring small businesses. We look forward to the first ‘Action!’ to take place at Fort Monmouth.”

New Jersey Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Tom Bracken said that the film industry is one of the key components of the future economy of the state.

“And we applaud Netflix for choosing New Jersey for this very significant project that will create jobs and economic development,” said Bracken. “The Chamber has backed this project from the start, and it is exciting to see it come to fruition. This will be a foundational component of our growing film industry.”

At a gaggle with reporters following the announcement and signing ceremony, Murphy stressed that this was a huge day.

“I just signed the letter which blesses the minute of the FMERA board decision to go forward with Netflix for their investment here,” Murphy told reporters. “It is a big day for the economy in Monmouth County and surrounding communities.”

Once state and local approvals are secured, the project is estimated to be completed in two phases over the course of several years.

Netflix is getting closer to setting up shop at the Jersey Shore, as the public comment period to permit the necessary redevelopment work on approximately 328 acres of property at Fort Monmouth opens for 45 days.

The Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority announced Oct. 30 that its board approved the transmittal of proposed Amendment #20 to the municipalities of Eatontown, Oceanport and Tinton Falls, which would create a “state-of-the-art Motion Picture, Television and Broadcast Studio campus,” according to FMERA, helping to further the strategic vision to craft a live-work-leisure environment featuring a variety of uses on the former military base.

Moving to the public review phase signals the next step for Fort Monmouth’s Mega Parcel redevelopment, which is currently under contract with Netflix Inc.

To achieve this, Plan Amendment #20 proposes changes to the fort area in addition to considering the impact to residential uses in Eatontown and Oceanport, while also preserving the original development scenario for the site, according to FMERA. Beyond residential uses proposed at the Mega Parcel under the initial plan, the amendment expands to encompass those uses elsewhere on the campus in Eatontown and Oceanport.

Plan Amendment #20 provides for affordable housing as required by the New Jersey Fair Housing Act. FMERA said it permits construction of such units for low- and moderate-income households either on its own, or in the event the anticipated entertainment complex is not built, as part of a larger residential development at the Mega Parcel or elsewhere on campus within the two specified boroughs.

The proposal also identifies alternative locations and future requirements for residential units, “since the Mega Parcel is anticipated to be developed as a wholly commercial project,” FMERA said, adding that it “looks forward to creating affordable housing opportunities in the host municipalities at alternative locations than those previously identified under the Reuse Plan.”

Once developers are selected for such projects, FMERA advised that an additional Plan Amendment may be necessary.

In December 2022, Netflix was announced as the winning bidder for Fort Monmouth’s “Mega Parcel.” The streaming giant will pay $55 million for the land, with plans to commit another approximately $850 million in capital investments at the property that will result in nearly 500,000 square feet of new development.

“Our team is incredibly passionate about Fort Monmouth’s revitalization, and is committed to surpassing the Fort’s prior role as a major economic driver in the region,” FMERA Executive Director Kara Kopach said when Netflix’s winning bid was announced. “A project of this scale has the potential not only to create thousands of jobs, but will also result in significant investment on the Fort, and spur local development in support of the project. The magnitude of Netflix’s investment is an absolute windfall for our stakeholders and the State of New Jersey. We’re eager to see this project come to fruition.”

The project is expected to create more than 1,500 permanent production jobs and over 3,500 construction-related jobs.

After the 45-day period, FMERA staff will review and respond to all comments before the Plan Amendment is proposed for final adoption by the board.

If granted, which is subject to a veto period from the governor, Netflix will move into its 36-month Approval Period, FMERA said, which will entail extensive reviews across local, county and state agencies and authorities.

FMERA said it anticipates those steps will begin in the first quarter of 2024.

Fort Monmouth’s Reuse and Redevelopment Plan, which serves as the master plan for the project, was adopted in 2008. Since then, it has been formally amended 19 times. According to FMERA, the goal of the plan is “to repurpose and return the Fort to a vibrant environment, create jobs, and catalyze economic growth in each of the three host municipalities (Tinton Falls, Eatontown, and Oceanport) and the region.”

Also in December 2022, the sale of 36 acres to RWJBarnabas Health’s Monmouth Medical Center closed. The first phase of that work will be the development of an approximately 138,000-square-foot cancer center and ambulatory care pavilion. Elsewhere on the sprawling property, Denholtz Properties has been successful at The Commissary, hitting lease up last Halloween with the addition of a bar and restaurant concept to compliment the building’s brewery and family-owned food business tenants.

Fort Monmouth started with 5 million square feet of building area, 70% of which is targeted for demolition, according to FMERA. Since, efforts began, 86% of the Fort’s 1,126 acres have been sold, are under contract, in negotiations or entering the request for proposals process. To date, FMERA has sold 34 parcels; six parcels are under contract or have board-approved contracts.

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