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Fort Monroe is one of the most unique historical and geographical sites in the United States and one that Hamptonians and Virginians alike are especially proud. Located on Old Point
Comfort where the Hampton Roads Harbor meets the Chesapeake Bay, Fort Monroe currently serves as an Army installation with a rich cultural and military history.
Efforts were made by local and state officials to keep Fort Monroe from closing, but in September 2011, pursuant to the decision by the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC), the Army will vacate the property.
In May of 2005, pursuant to enabling legislation, Hampton City Council created the Hampton Federal Area Development Authority (FADA). The Hampton FADA was created to enable more efficient cooperation with the federal government in the event of a closure or realignment of any of the City’s federal installations pursuant to the federal Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990, and to increase the value of federal installations in Hampton by promoting the development of federal employee housing, including military housing, office buildings and other infrastructure through increased coordination between the military, private industry, and academic and research institutions located in the City and Hampton Roads area.
Under BRAC law, there were specific requirements and timelines to follow in developing a reuse plan, thus the City of Hampton began the process by, for example, working with various consultants, appointing a Planning Steering Committee, and holding a community Charette to get input from citizens on the future of Fort Monroe. The City of Hampton, in conjunction with the Hampton FADA, Commonwealth of Virginia, and other important stakeholders, created a draft reuse plan.
To continue the careful planning of the reuse of Fort Monroe and because most of the property will revert to the Commonwealth of Virginia, in 2007 the Virginia General Assembly created the Fort Monroe Federal Area Development Authority (FMFADA), comprised of 18 members, including 7 members appointed by the Hampton City Council. You can find a list of the FMFADA’s scheduled meetings for 2010 here. You can also find a list of the Hampton City Council’s appointees, along with their terms of office, here.
In August 2008, Virginia Governor Tim Kaine signed the Fort Monroe Reuse plan, a document which outlines the general provisions, opportunities and challenges associated with the future reuse of the fort. A link to the reuse plan is here.
With 2011 just around the corner, the FMFADA and the City of Hampton have much work to do to ensure the best and highest reuse of Fort Monroe. In June, the city and the FMFADA agreed to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlining the next critical steps in determining the state of the infrastructure at Fort Monroe. This is an important step in further exploring the city’s interest in providing municipal services on the property once the Army vacates it. The MOU can be found here.
With the next steps in this important process involving the city more than ever, please check back often for more news and updates throughout this important time!
