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Washington, D.C. --- U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) today sent the following letter to the National Park Service (NPS) requesting that it deny another extension of a lease agreement with Sandy Hook Partners (SHP) for the continuation of the redevelopment of Fort Hancock. As he has in the past, the New Jersey congressman expressed concerns regarding SHP's inability to produce the necessary funds to continue with the project and the fact that it has already received several extensions.
May 15, 2008
Ms. Mary A. Bomar
Director
National Park Service
1849 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20240
Dear Ms. Bomar:
I am writing today to request that the National Park Service (NPS) deny any extension of the lease agreement with Sandy Hook Partners (SHP) for the continuation of the redevelopment of Fort Hancock at the Gateway National Recreation Area's Sandy Hook Unit.
Under the terms of the lease, SHP, owned by Mr. James Wassel, agreed to renovate 36 of Fort Hancock's 100 buildings. The conceptual plans indicated that the redevelopment would include opening private businesses such as bed and breakfasts and cafes in the renovated buildings.
However, serious questions have been raised regarding Mr. Wassel's ability to produce the necessary funds to move forward with the three-phase project. Those fears have been realized for nearly four years as NPS has granted Mr. Wassel repeated lease extensions due to SHP's lack of financial resources. The current lease is scheduled to expire on June 30, 2008.
In light of these concerns, the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of the Interior agreed last year to my request to conduct a full investigation into how NPS signed a lease agreement when Mr. Wassel had not shown any evidence that he could raise the necessary funds. I am currently waiting for the Inspector General's report.
Enough is enough. NPS cannot continue to grant extensions to SHP without losing its public credibility. It is time to put an end to this process, go back to the drawing board, and try to work with all levels of government and nonprofit organizations to find an alternative to SHP that does not involve the commercialization of Sandy Hook.
I appreciate your prompt attention in this matter, and should you require any further information from my staff or myself, please do not hesitate to contact my office.
Sincerely,
FRANK PALLONE, JR.
Member of Congress
CC: Superintendent, Richard Wells, Gateway National Recreation Area
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