Experts address Televised Town Hall questions

The following questions, received after Fort Monroe’s recent quarterly televised town hall meeting, have been addressed by the appropriate subject matter expert(s), with responses forwarded directly to each caller:

Q: What will happen to the marina following closure?

A: The Army and the Fort Monroe Federal Area Development Authority (FMFADA) will execute an Economic Development Conveyance (EDC) to transfer title to all federal surplus lands to the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Due to existing reversionary deed restrictions, much of the built environment at the site will automatically revert to the state upon closure. The marina is included in the EDC and will remain open after closure.

Both military and civilian boaters will be allowed to rent slips at a market rate equal to the condition and amenities at the marina; we understand from FMWR that the current rate is 20% below market.

No boaters will be evicted and we hope many of the existing customers will remain.

Q: What will happen to MUTS when the post closes?

A: FMFADA wants to continue some of the great public programs at Fort Monroe, including open air concerts. We will contact TRADOC and other military bands inviting them to participate in concerts, and will also invite organized musical groups from throughout the area to use Fort Monroe as a venue for performances.

Additionally, the TRADOC Band is still working out the details on the future of its summer concert schedule after the move to Fort Eustis. However, there are two things about which the band is confident:

First, the "Music Under the Stars" (MUTS) series will go with them when they move.

Second, the band hopes to continue performances on Ft. Monroe as well even after the move.

Q: Will there be opportunities for small businesses when the area is reconstructed? Will there be an amusement area?

A: FMFADA has not worked out all of the details for small business participation at Fort Monroe, but they anticipate there will be ample opportunities for entrepreneurs, particularly related to the tourism and hospitality industry, small food concessions, and recreation equipment rentals.

There is no amusement park in the Reuse Plan, but the FMFADA plans to offer a wide variety of recreational and educational programs on site.

Q: Would you rather have pictures of people, landscapes or buildings submitted for the Flickr Heritage Project?

A: We prefer submission of photos of people interacting. It’s the people who have worked and lived here in the past, those who currently live and work here and those who visit - whether once in a lifetime or more often - that will bring such vitality to this legacy project.

Q: Will there be any positions available for civilian retirees from Fort Monroe during the transition period with FMFADA after the Army vacates?

A: FMFADA is currently revamping its management structure to prepare to operate Fort Monroe after closure and will be identifying hiring opportunities as the final plans take shape. Retirees from the base will be actively recruited to join them in the reuse of Fort Monroe.

Q: If remains of Contraband slaves or others are located during the survey in April, what is the process for exhumation, identification and reburial?

A: If human remains are located on the former location of the post cemetery, the Programmatic Agreement between the Army and State is clear as to the Army's procedure.

Section H-5, page 9 states: “If any such remnant of the former Freedmen’s Cemetery is identified, the Army shall take appropriate actions to define the site boundaries, commemorate with an appropriate marking, and provide site information to the future property manager.

If found, any human remains and associated grave goods shall be preserved in place. The location of any graves identified shall be clearly recorded on future installation maps and planning documents and the boundary of the burial area permanently marked in the field.”