Murphy signs key change to bring Netflix to Fort Monmouth, make NJ 'Hollywood of the East'

OCEANPORT - Gov. Phil Murphy started the clock Friday on an amendment to update Fort Monmouth's reuse plan so what was once an Army base focused on military electronic communications can become a motion picture, television and broadcast studio campus, spreading Netflix entertainment electronically around the world.

The milestone, marked by the attendance of dozens of local elected officials, union bosses and Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos, essentially allows Netflix to proceed with drafting its final site plan to build its East Coast production hub at the former Army fort.

The amendment now goes to the fort host towns of Eatontown, Oceanport and Tinton Falls for a 45-day review period.

It was a simple step in the bureaucratic process of building at the fort, but a pivotal one. Without it, Netflix would not be allowed to go forward to the next stage — a 36-month approval process where it must get the OK for its site plan from the local planning boards of two fort towns, Eatontown and Oceanport, and a myriad of county and state permits and approvals. Only after that can it finally close on the sale and begin construction.

"As they say at Fort Monmouth, that's a wrap," Murphy joked as he inked the document to start the amendment review, and then handed the ceremonial pen to Sarandos, whom Murphy lured to New Jersey with a generous tax-incentive package that has gone a long way in restoring New Jersey's potential place as a leader in the film industry. Or as Murphy said it, assuring New Jersey will be the new "Hollywood of the East."

The inside story: How Fort Monmouth got Netflix and one of the world's biggest movie studios

To be clear, Netflix could still pull out of the deal down the road, but it has cleared the hurdles so far. Last December it won the bid for the 292-acre Mega Parcel and it did not balk during the due diligence period, despite the fact that it has a ton of demolition work ahead of it — about 100 old Army buildings that will need to be cleared before it can build its 12 sound stages, backlots and ancillary buildings. It's an investment of nearly $1 billion.

But on Friday, Murphy, Sarandos (who was born in Long Branch), the union labor leaders, local and state elected officials shared a brief pause to share in the vision and promise that Netflix can bring to the area.

"We would not be here today without your remarkable leadership and vision," Sarandos said to Murphy when it was his turn to speak at the podium at the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority (FMERA) administrative office on Brewer Street. "There's a lot to do for sure, but it's incredible to come this far. It takes a village and we certainly found that here in New Jersey."

What must be done: Want Netflix to move ahead on Fort Monmouth studio plan? It needs these two roads first.

Job promises

Sarandos, who's known Murphy since his wife Nicole Avant and Murphy served as ambassadors during former President Barack Obama's administration, said Netflix Studios Fort Monmouth will drive significant economic growth and create meaningful short-term jobs for skilled union workers who will build the studios and permanent jobs for the theatrical union members who will work on the film and movie production once it's complete.

Want a Netflix movie studio job? Spotlight shines on training opportunities

"By Netflix choosing Fort Monmouth as its East Coast hub, billions of dollars will be added to New Jersey's economy. It will create meaningful, long-lasting jobs for generations to come," said Greg Hanco, president of the local chapter 59 of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees.

All told, Netflix has agreed to create 3,500 jobs during peak construction and between 1,400 to 2,200 permanent jobs once complete. However, the economic impact will be much greater as the studios are expected to boost the area's small businesses as workers will shop at local stores, use local caterers, or need to find housing, not to mention the tourist traffic. Netflix predicts its economic impact on New Jersey over the next two decades alone will equal $3.8 to $4.6 billion.

"This is going to change a lot of lives and I don't think we're going to fully understand the impact until this actually happens," said state Sen. Vin Gopal, D-Monmouth.

Real estate: Netflix at Fort Monmouth drives home price boom

The subplot

In 2008, a reuse plan was created in anticipation of the fort's closure in 2011. The plan serves as the master plan. Any time a new use is proposed that was not in the original reuse plan, the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority must pass an amendment to the reuse plan.

The 292 acres of the Mega Parcel that Netflix is under contract to buy was not part of the original reuse plan, but was sewn together two years ago from several parcels that FMERA had difficulty selling in order to pave the way for Netflix.

Fort Monmouth history: From poison ivy and pigeons to Netflix TV production

Lastly, a film and television studio campus was also not part of the reuse plan for the Mega Parcel properties, hence the need for Amendment 20 to the reuse plan, which Murphy started the approval process on Friday.

When Jersey Shore native Dan Radel is not reporting the news, you can find him in a college classroom where he is a history professor. Reach him @danielradelapp; 732-643-4072; dradel@gannettnj.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Netflix Fort Monmouth change OK'd by Murphy to spur movie studio