Two Sandy Hook Ft. Hancock Buildings To Be Demolished

HIGHLANDS, NJ — The National Park Service announced Monday that it will begin the demolition of buildings 119 and 120 at the Sandy Hook Proving Ground on June 15.

The historic buildings are part of the Fort Hancock area at the tip of Sandy Hook, a former U.S. Army headquarters. However, they were flooded and extensively damaged during Hurricane Sandy.

The U.S. Army built near 100 buildings on Sandy Hook in response to the massive mobilization of World War II.

There were efforts by some historical preservation groups to save buildings #119 and #120, and the National Park Service considered alternatives — including moving the buildings to higher ground, raising the buildings above the flood level and leasing to a third party.

"However, all of these proved to be economically unfeasible," said the NPS in a statement.

Before Sandy struck, buildings 119 and 120 were used by Gateway National Recreation Area to house seasonal workers and volunteers. However, their first floors were built 3-4 feet below the 100-year-flood elevation and in a moderate wave action zone.

Demolition starts next Monday.