Tacoholics, which started out as a food truck, plans to open its third restaurant next month, this one at 90 Broad Street. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)
By JOHN T. WARD
We got tacos. We got Greek food. We got a gift shop and a florist.
All the makings of a heaping autumn update to redbankgreen‘s long-running Retail Churn feature. Read on for details.
A turtle making its way along Navesink River Road near the rail crossing in Middletown Thursday afternoon tucked into its shell at the approach of redbankgreen‘s photographer, who moved the animal to the side of the road.
Meantime, it’s on-again, off-again turtleneck weather time. After overnight temperatures in the 30s, Friday’s forecast calls for sunshine and highs in the low 60s, according to the National Weather Service.
Check out the extended forecast below. (Photo by Trish Russoniello. Click to enlarge.)
John Arcara in the newly completed, 100-seat Red Tank Brewing microbrewery earlier this week. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)
By JOHN T. WARD
Two years from dream to reality, Red Tank Brewing is set to open in the heart of Red Bank Thursday night, the start of a new venture for wedding photographers John and Lovina Arcara.
It may also be the start of a fresh wave of craft suds in town.
An architect’s depiction of the proposed Rail multiuse project, as seen from the intersection of Oakland Street and Bridge Avenue, with St. Anthony’s Church at right. (Rendering by Rotwein+Blake. Click to enlarge.)
By JOHN T. WARD
An expanded version of an ambitious mixed-use development proposed alongside the Red Bank train station got the express treatment from the borough planning board Monday night.
Crime and arrest reports, unedited, as provided by the Shrewsbury Police Department for the period of October 6 to October 12, 2018. For additional information, please scroll to the bottom of this post.
CRIMES
Report of Theft in the area of Broad Street on 10/6/18. Victim reports unknown subject(s) passed fraudulent bills. Damages totaling $328.00. Ptl. Tyler Fox investigating.
Report of Theft in the area of Frances Street on 10/5/18. Victim reports unknown subject(s) removed property. Damages totaling $100.00. Ptl. Joseph Barnicle investigating.
By JOHN T. WARD
Almost two months before she filed allegations of harassment by the town’s administrator, Red Bank’s personnel director was told her job was on the line, borough officials claim.
The assertion that human resources manager Eva Biviano had been informed her employment was at risk would appear to contradict statements made by her lawyer, who’s also her brother.
But he says that does not undermine her allegations about “months of abuse” by Business Administrator Ziad Shehady.
By JOHN T. WARD
The Red Bank government’s personnel director lost her job Monday, one business day after she filed a harassment complaint against borough Business Administrator Ziad Shehady, redbankgreen has confirmed.
Red Bank Business Administrator Ziad Shehady at borough hall in June. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)
SEE UPDATE BELOW
By JOHN T. WARD
Five months after he took the job, Red Bank’s business administrator is facing a harassment complaint, redbankgreen has learned.
Red Bank RiverCenter’s new strategic plan for the central business district is scheduled for unveiling Monday night. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)
By JOHN T. WARD
Three issues that could alter the look and feel of Red Bank for generations arrive at key inflection points Monday night.
Under the changes, medical marijuana dispensaries are now allowed in retail zones, and tattoo parlors are permitted in additional zones. (Click to enlarge.)
By JOHN T. WARD
As expected, the Red Bank council approved measures on medical marijuana shops and tattoo parlors Wednesday.
Officials also introduced an ordinance to recognize a turn toward do-it-yourself crafts and other forms of “commercial recreation” downtown.
By JOHN T. WARD
A Red Bank woman was struck by a vehicle while crossing a busy downtown intersection Thursday evening, police Chief Darren McConnell tells redbankgreen.
The former VNA headquarters, at Riverside Avenue and Bodman Place, is on track to designation for special redevelopment rights. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)
By JOHN T. WARD
Red Bank’s elected officials were in redevelopment mode Wednesday night, advancing two measures that could reshape the landscape.
One tapped a consulting firm to set up a redevelopment agency to oversee downtown projects. The other initiated a process under which the former VNA Health Group headquarters could be replaced with high-density housing.
Part of the plan calls for a new park-maintenance shed at Fair Haven Fields, just south of the Methodist church. (Image by Google. Click to enlarge.)
By JOHN T. WARD
Fair Haven residents peppered the borough council Tuesday night with questions about an ambitious plan to build a new town hall, consolidate operations and sell real estate.
The questions appeared to reflect a sense that residents were caught off guard by the scope of the project, which was first reported by redbankgreen Monday.
Ken DeRoberts, who served as interim borough administrator earlier this year, would oversee redevelopment issues under the proposed contract. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)
[UPDATE: See clarification below]
By JOHN T. WARD
A consulting firm that earlier this year identified the absence of a redevelopment agency as a competitive problem for Red Bank is expected to be given the job of overseeing redevelopment Wednesday night.
Crime and arrest reports, unedited, as provided by the Rumson Police Department for August and September, 2018. For additional information, please scroll to the bottom of this post.
Arrests
8/09/18 – Nicholas Gil, 24, of Port Monmouth was arrested by D/Sgt. Chris Isherwood for Contempt of Court, in the area of East River Road and Lakeside Avenue.
8/12/18 – Luke Schudlick, 32, of Colts Neck was arrested by S/O Michael Volker for DUI, in the area of Bingham Avenue and Bingham Hill Circle.
From Red Bank police Monday morning:
On Saturday afternoon at approximately 2:30 patrol units responded to multiple reports of a man armed with a knife threatening passerbys on Front Street near Morford Place.
Fair Haven officials hope to acquire the former Sunoco station for redevelopment as part of long-range consolidation of municipal operations. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)
By JOHN T. WARD
A vacant gas station site in Fair Haven could become the home to a new borough hall and police station under a plan up for consideration Tuesday night.
A gray autumn morning was a good time to tackle some outdoor work on Grant Place in Red Bank Saturday. Or was that just an eerily realistic Halloween yard display?
With many schools and workplaces closed Monday for Columbus Day (or professional staff days, in the case of local public schools), Monday should be another good day for yard work. Temperatures are expected to peak around 69 degrees, with a slight chance of precipitation, according to the National Weather Service.
Check out the extended forecast below. (John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)
Red Bank Regional cheerleaders, led by Coach Kristy Finck, at left, drop for pushups after the Bucs’ second touchdown Friday night. (Video by John T. Ward.)
By JOHN T. WARD
After a one-week interruption, Red Bank Regional’s cheerleaders were back to doing pushups in support of the football team Friday night.
The crime and arrest reports below were provided by the Red Bank Police Department for September, 2018. This information is unedited. For additional information, please scroll to the bottom of this post.
CRIMES
Theft: A male subject wearing a dark colored hat, sky blue long sleeve shirt, dark colored pants, and blue sneakers was seen entering a private back yard and leaving with a tree trimmer on 09/01/18 in the area of W Bergen Pl. Ptl. Milton Gray IV.
Criminal Mischief: A report of eggs being thrown at a parked vehicle and a hand written note left on the windshield was reported in the area of Bank St on 09/04/18. Ptl. Ashon Lovick.
Red Bank Regional would get 10 new classrooms, a new roof, a turf field and other upgrades under the $17.3 million proposal. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)
By JOHN T. WARD
The Red Bank Regional High board of ed kicked off an information campaign Wednesday night with a dire message: if a proposed $17.3 million capital plan fails at the ballot box in December, taxpayers in three towns may be in for a tax shock. Read More
Red Bank Regional cheerleaders in an undate photo on the school website. (Click to enlarge.)
By JOHN T. WARD
In the wake of a complaint, Red Bank Regional High has temporarily halted cheerleader pushups after every score by the football team, redbankgreen has learned.
Opponents of Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the United States Supreme Court plan to rally in Red Bank’s Riverside Gardens Park as part of a “walk-out” movement Thursday afternoon, redbankgreen has learned.
The clay tennis courts at Marine Park, as seen Wednesday morning. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)
By JOHN T. WARD
After sitting untouched and off-limits for nearly six years, Red Bank’s waterfront clay tennis courts got some attention from heavy equipment earlier this week.
And of course, the rumor mill lit up. Which means it’s time to call in redbankgreen‘s periodic feature known as What’s Going On Here?
Regular users of Red Bank’s public parking facilities: here’s your chance to weigh in on what’s good about them, what’s not, and how to improve them.