The two buildings at 199 (left) and 205 Broad Street, where the owner wants to connect the homes by a bridge and build six apartments in the adjacent parking lot. (Photo by Brian Donohue. Click to enlarge.)
By BRIAN DONOHUE
The advertising company Outfront Media LLC is seeking variances that would allow it to build an LED billboard on the property of Circus Wine Beer & Spirits at 56 Newman Springs Road.
And the owners of two Victorian homes at 199 and 205 Broad Street are seeking to connect the two structures with a bridge and build a six-unit apartment building on the parking lot behind them. Neighbors have voiced opposition to the proposal.
The billboard application is the latest chapter in a long saga. Outfront had originally sought to replace its decades-old static billboard at 187 Riverside Ave (near the town’s northern entrance) with a digital one, but the board denied that application. The advertisers then sued the borough over the denial in 2025.
The two sides recently came to a settlement. Outfront would drop its lawsuit against the borough if it gained approval for a digital billboard on Newman Springs Road. However, if the Zoning Board denies the application, the settlement is void and the lawsuit will continue.
At a previous hearing in August, much of the discussion on plans by the company to use data collected by third-party firms to target drivers with ads more likely to draw their interest as they pass the sign at 56 Newman Springs Road.
The billboard hearing will be followed by the continuation of another proposal that needs relief from borough zoning ordinances to move forward: property owner John Smallwood’s plans to remake a two-property tract at 199-205 Broad Street. The project includes a 6-unit apartment building behind the restored Victorians, which would be connected by a bridge.
Nearby residents questioned the project at the last meeting, raising concerns about traffic, parking, garbage collection and more.
To read redbankgreen’s previous coverage of the billboard proposal, click here.
To read more about the 199-205 Broad Street project, click here.
The meeting begins at 6:30 pm Thursday at Borough Hall, 90 Monmouth Street. It can also be viewed on zoom at this link.
redbankgreen editor Brian Donohue may be reached via email at [email protected] or by calling or texting 848-331-8331.
