Red Bulls Training Complex Public Hearing Continued In Greater Morristown

MORRIS TOWNSHIP, NJ — The New York Red Bulls' proposal to build a training facility on Columbia Turnpike is back on the Morris Township Planning Board's agenda, prolonging the lengthy approval process.

As a follow-up to the Aug. 15 public hearing, the board will hold a public hearing on the project tonight at 7 p.m.

The team first announced plans to build the training facility on the 80-acre site off Columbia Road last year, but the process has yet to move past the planning board. Local residents have expressed concern about the project, fearing that the increased lighting and noise level from the speaker system will disturb the surrounding area.

According to the Red Bulls, the facility will house the team's front-office personnel as well as eight full-size outdoor soccer fields. Both the Major League Soccer team and their second-tier team, Red Bulls II, will use the complex.

The complex plan depicts four professional fields, three academy fields, a competition field, an agility training area, a youth field, an indoor half-field, a field house, pro/academy buildings, various support buildings, academy dormitories, parking areas, equipment storage areas, lighting, buffering, and other typical training facility uses.

The parking lot will be reduced from 3600 spaces when it was Honeywell Industries' former headquarters to 400 spaces.

According to the Red Bulls' attorney, the team is doing everything possible to minimize any negative effects on the community, though there is a slim chance that there will be no impact at all.

The Red Bulls have previously revised their project plans after receiving feedback at previous public meetings, and that community engagement is expected to continue throughout the process, according to officials.

The facility was originally scheduled to be completed in 2024, with construction beginning this year. That timeline is now improbable, and development plans call for three two-year phases of construction to complete the project.

The new facility would be home to the Red Bulls' first team, as well as the USL's Red Bulls II, and the academy and other youth programs, which will be North America's leading youth soccer development system.

"We are fortunate to have the support and commitment from Red Bull to help realize our vision of developing a world-class Training Complex for our organization," said Marc de Grandpré, General Manager, New York Red Bulls. "This will further our pledge to develop, engage and inspire the local community through the beautiful game."

The Red Bulls have based training operations in Hanover since 2013. The club's first team will continue to play Major League Soccer games at Harrison's Red Bull Arena.