Public should look beyond proposal

On June 1, the second — and in all likelihood final — public hearing on a commercial development plan for buildings at Fort Hancock on Sandy Hook is slated to take place.

The hearing is on the plan for the renovation and use of 36 buildings at the fort by Sandy Hook Partners, LLC, a real estate concern that was selected by the National Park Service as the best tenant for its buildings. But it also is about something more.

In this hearing and the remaining public comment period — which stays open until June 15 — people should take the opportunity to address the issue of private use of public land.

During the consideration of Sandy Hook Partners’ proposal, park service officials, and many elected officials, have said the only way to preserve the buildings of the fort is to allow a private concern, such as Sandy Hook Partners, to take control of the properties and develop them for financial gain.

Park officials say that with the money Sandy Hook Partners pays for use of the buildings, they will be able to fund the refurbishment and maintenance of others.

NPS officials are quick to note similar projects have taken place elsewhere and the law to allow what it terms "adaptive reuse" has long been in place.

Just because it’s legal and happened before doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do.

There are certainly many questions, specifically about Sandy Hook Partners’ proposal, that need to be answered, but at the hearing, and hopefully in written comment as well, the larger question of private profit from public property needs to be addressed.

The American people are being asked if they are willing to take care of their park property. Many park service and elected officials think they know the answer to that and it is no.

People are not often asked to give an opinion that they know will be heard on a public endeavor, but the upcoming public hearing is just such an opportunity. Don’t let it pass.