Engineering a Vision: The Technical Evolution of Trinity Hall at Fort Monmouth
Fort Monmouth has been a hot spot for redevelopment in New Jersey. With over 1,000 acres available for potential redevelopment within the former military base, Fort Monmouth has showcased itself as an opportunity for residential, commercial and office development. Some of the most notable projects include Netflix at Fort Monmouth, the new residential and mixed-use properties crossing Oceanport, Tinton Falls and Eatontown, and New Jersey City University’s satellite campus at Squier Hall. Colliers Engineering & Design has been part of many of the redevelopment projects on this historic property, helping clients navigate their project’s success from conception to close out.
One such project Colliers Engineering & Design recently completed on the Fort Monmouth campus is Trinity Hall, an independent, all girls, college preparatory Catholic high school in Tinton Falls. The high school has evolved from a decommissioned military facility into a 2025 GBCA Construction Excellence Award-winning campus, serving as a premier case study at the intersection of adaptive reuse and strategic civil/site engineering. After overcoming initial zoning denials and land-use resistance in neighboring municipalities, the school’s relocation to the former Fort Monmouth daycare center marked a turning point for its infrastructure and mission.
Since the school’s inception, Colliers Engineering & Design has served as the lead consultant, navigating complex zoning hurdles and environmental constraints to facilitate the school’s rapid enrollment growth. Patrick Lynam, PE, PP, CME, and Anthony Calvano, PE have been a part of the project since the beginning, serving the phases of the project.
An Old Daycare to Leading Private School
Trinity Hall’s technical origins were shaped by the failure of previous site applications. Following zoning denials in neighboring municipalities due to traffic and land-use concerns, the focus shifted to the former Fort Monmouth daycare center in Tinton Falls.
“As a Tinton Falls resident, it was exciting to see how readily the planning board accepted the school plans,” Patrick said. “This project highlights Colliers Engineering & Design’s mission and vision – elevating the built environment of the communities we live and work in.”
Engineering assessments identified the former daycare at the Fort Monmouth base as a viable candidate for adaptive reuse due to its structurally sound shell and existing utility infrastructure. The relocation required the professionals at Colliers Engineering & Design to align site improvements with the rigorous redevelopment standards of the former U.S. Army installation.
From Adaptive Reuse to Expansion
As the campus came to life, Colliers Engineering & Design managed several critical engineering components. First, the environmental experts worked alongside the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to address the wetlands of the project site. Once protections were in place, unique solutions were developed to manage the streams and stormwater drainage of the site, with a focus on a 22,460 sq. ft. classroom addition and recreation for the student’s wellbeing.
Once the school enrollment demand began to grow, Trinity Hall enlisted the help of Colliers Engineering & Design once again, this time for another school expansion. A 11,620 sq. ft. classroom, engineering labs, and theater was constructed, as well as an additional 5,718 sq. ft. wing designed for campus dining and events. This expansion also included an expansion of the school’s parking infrastructure, realigning the entry roadway, making space for emergency access improvements and transforming the vehicle circulation to handle the increasing volume of students.
To minimize disruption to active school operations, Colliers Engineering & Design utilized a two-prong permitting strategy. This allowed the school to advance core projects using existing approvals while simultaneously master-planning long-term improvements. The master plans ensured that the school’s classroom and opportunities stayed ahead of the school’s academic trajectory.
The Next Generation of Female Engineers
COLLIERS ENGINEERING & DESIGN and Trinity Hall’s partnership grew deeper than client and engineer. With Trinity Hall’s focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education, opportunities were opened for students through an internship experience.
Through the “Beyond the Hall” program, Colliers Engineering & Design hosts student interns for weeklong shadowing, exposing them to real-world applications in Site Planning, Landscape Architecture, Geotechnical Engineering, Traffic Planning, and project management. This integration of professional engineering into the school’s STEM pathway directly supports Trinity Hall’s mission to prepare young women for technical careers.
“As a firm, Colliers Engineering & Design focuses on inclusion and belonging in the architecture, engineering and construction space. The Beyond the Hall internship program offers the next generation of engineers and professionals hands-on experience with clients, projects and more,” said Patrick.
The redevelopment of the former Fort Monmouth military base represents a pivotal chapter in New Jersey’s economic and educational landscape. As the former military site becomes a hub for innovation, creativity and economic opportunity, Colliers Engineering & Design continues to serve a variety of clients on their projects transforming the space.