OCEANPORT, N.J. — The Oceanport borough planning board has given a green light to the first phase of Netflix’s ambitious production facility, valued at over $900 million, situated on the site of a former Army base along the Jersey Shore.
Last week, the local planning board voted unanimously in favor of the site plans for the renowned California-based streaming service’s proposed film and television studio at the expansive 289-acre Fort Monmouth location, as reported.
Phase one is set to involve the construction of four soundstages, covering a 29-acre area known as the McAfee zone, predominantly within Oceanport, with a small portion extending into Eatontown. Netflix intends to develop this area into a comprehensive campus catering to actors and production teams.
Despite the approval, officials in Oceanport voiced opinions regarding the dimensions of signage and billboards, along with doubts about the reliability of an assessment related to traffic implications. In response, Netflix has assured residents that it will erect a security-monitored concrete wall around the campus to ensure privacy.
Additionally, the project will require approval from authorities in Eatontown as well as state officials, including the Department of Environmental Protection.
As part of its investment, the company has allocated $55 million for the site acquisition and aims to invest an extra $848 million to create around twelve soundstages, office facilities, production service buildings, and other studio components. According to site plans, the development will also feature a helipad, a theater, a hotel, and various visitor attractions.
Earlier this year, the state’s Economic Development Authority disclosed that Netflix would receive substantial tax incentives for its production activities in exchange for maintaining studio operations for at least a decade. During the recent hearing, representatives from the company expressed their hopeful anticipation of starting construction by the close of next year.
A spokesperson for Netflix emphasized that the planning board’s approval signifies the community’s excitement for the establishment of a new studio in New Jersey—a state recognized as the birthplace of the contemporary film industry.
