RED BANK, NJ – James Scavone, Executive Director of the Red Bank RiverCenter and Steve Catania, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and owner of The Cheese Cave, presented the Strategic Initiative meeting outlining the final plan that downtown Red Bank will be following.

Scavone opened saying, “We’re going to review some goals and strategies that we’re going to undertake over the next three to five years, and review the organizational structure, so that we have a solid foundation for working on these goals and objectives.”

Catania explained that RiverCenter needed to refocus on what its goals and objectives and that was obtained through a variety of methods. The Pennsylvania Downtown Center which was hired to provide guidance in creating a unified vision and voice for the borough’s downtown through a data-driven process.

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To review the organization Chart, click HERE.

Scavone went through the plan’s six goals and his comments are in quotes:

1. Re-Imagined & Reinvigorated the Riverfront

The riverfront was seen as a primary and underutilized asset, “The ultimate goal is to create a space that becomes the center of Red Bank and feeds the downtown community by drawing people into town.”

2. Regional Center for the Arts & Creativity





“We need to unite the arts community, but it’s branded as a distinct district and there’s not a lot of interaction between the arts organizations. Our goal is to create a district that is the heart of the arts community, rivaling the cities around us.”

3. Unique Place for Unique Dining & Shopping Experiences

“We have wonderful shops and boutiques that are unique to Red Bank, so our goal is to brand Red Bank as a destination for unique shopping, wonderful boutiques and fine dining, and really make it Jersey’s destination (for that).”

4. Transit Village. “Part of (the plan) is a real designation by NJ transit as a transit village, part is to create “Complete Streets.” Complete Streets goal is to create a walkable and bike friendly environment, a place where commuters feel they can live and commute, but also where people are commuting into Red Bank and enjoying everything that the downtown has to offer. This has to be coupled with a very aggressive and improved parking plan.”

5. Center for Health and Wellness. “Obviously with the presence of Riverview, we have this ready-made center, so (our challenge) is how do we build on that to create this hub for health and wellness.”

6. Center for Financial Services. “Red Bank, outside of New York and the larger cities, is probably the largest area for financial services. What this allows is to bring in employees who utilize the downtown every day for eating and shopping. Part of our vision is to enable the growth of those financial services so that we continue to draw those employees.”

Catania discussed that the Operating Committees are supported by an Advisory Council (see the organization chart by clicking HERE). He requested that those who wish to volunteer for the Advisory Council, please do so.

Explaining the units of the four Goals and how they will achieve them, Scavone’s comments are in quotes.

1. Operations. “RiverCenter is the main organization that’s going to implement this, so we recognize that we need to look at our effectiveness so that we can undertake this plan in full force.”

2. Economic Vitality. “We’d like to develop workshops for current business owners because part of our economic vitality is not only recruitment of new businesses but how do we retain and keep our businesses in Red Bank.”

3. Design. “When we talk about design we mean streets and building facades and the infrastructure of the downtown. We think that the parking study is going to clearly define who is responsible to implement the suggestions that come out of the parking study. Our goal is to support the Borough’s efforts in their part in the study.”

4. Promotions. “The campaign will encompass the overall district and downtown area as well as those sub-districts.”

Steve Catania explained that the Red Bank RiverCenter is funded by the (separate) taxes paid by the business owners, “So anything that RiverCenter is embarking on is intended to benefit the business community. Obviously, that can’t be done in a vacuum or in a silo, that’s separate and apart of what the Borough sees as a master plan. So, we hope that through this process, we are creating the visions and the strategies working in collaboration and coordination with the Borough to achieve things that are mutually desirable.”

This is a three to five-year plan but some aspects will be implemented in the next several months.

We’ll keep you informed as things progress.

In the meantime, support your local independent business, they are what keeps Red Bank buzzing and alive!

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