Lunch Break’s proposed addition, as seen from Drs. James Parker Boulevard. (Rendering by Kellenyi Johnson Wagner. Click to enlarge.)
By JOHN T. WARD
Plans for a $12 million expansion of Lunch Break, the food security and social services nonprofit, are scheduled for review by the Red Bank zoning board Thursday.
Saxum owns the former VNA site, viewed here from the former Raceway gas station on Riverside Avenue. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)
By JOHN T. WARD
Saxum Real Estate‘s request for a controversial zoning change in Red Bank hit a solid brick wall Monday night.
At a meeting that lasted just 12 minutes, the borough planning board unanimously rejected a proposal that objectors feared would lead to massive tax breaks for the developer.
Downtown Investors plans to raze the house at 26 Wallace Street. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)
By JOHN T. WARD
A Red Bank developer plans to demolish a downtown house to expand a parking lot, with an eye toward future building.
Community planning director Shawna Ebanks speaking at the library Thursday night. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)
By JOHN T. WARD
About 15 Red Bank residents got a brief seminar in municipal planning and zoning at the public library Thursday night.
But presenter Shawna Ebanks, the borough’s director of community development, steered clear of third-rail issues such as tax abatements.
Jon Stewart’s former homes on Alston Court, left, and Fisher Place, right, as seen from the Navesink River in 2010. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)
By JOHN T. WARD
Comedian Jon Stewart appears to have ended his time as a Red Bank dual homeowner.
Environmental Commission Chairwoman Nancy Facey-Blackwood speaking at the hearing as applicant’s attorney Chris Healey looks on. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)
By JOHN T. WARD
For want of a drawing, the Red Bank zoning board stopped just short of approving a plan for 10 condominium units next door to the borough library Thursday night.
When they meet again in two weeks, board members will be set to fast-track the approval, provided a new rendering doesn’t change their minds.
Rice Box lasted less than a year at 21 Monmouth Street, but another restaurant is preparing to replace it. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)
By JOHN T. WARD
Greek food replacing Thai. A new coal-fired pizzeria. A juice bar. A new home for an investment office.
Read all about the latest signs of change in downtown Red Bank in this edition of redbankgreen‘s Retail Churn.
A zoning board hearing on 10 apartments proposed for a vacant, riverfront lot next door to the Red Bank Public Library is set to resume Thursday.
The planned Southbank site, above, with the North Shrewsbury Ice Boat & Yacht Club visible at center. Below, a rendering of the planned condos. (Photo by John T. Ward; rendering by Rotwein+Blake. Click to enlarge.)
By JOHN T. WARD
After two false starts this century, construction has begun on 10 luxury townhouses overlooking the Navesink River from a bluff in downtown Red Bank.
Erin Oakley of Fantastic Signs installing temporary signs for Sally Boy’s restaurant at 1 Broad Street Thursday. (Photo by Allan Bass. Click to enlarge.)
See UPDATE below
By JOHN T. WARD
Seven years after its last occupant left, one of Red Bank’s most visible retail spaces is finally getting set for a new one.
Read all about in this edition of redbankgreen‘s Retail Churn.
Executive director Cherron Rountree, outlined in yellow, addresses the Red Bank Redevelopment Agency during its virtual meeting Tuesday. (Click to enlarge)
By JOHN T. WARD
Red Bank’s Redevelopment Agency needs to do more to educate the public about its work, its new executive director told members Tuesday evening.
At the same time, the agency will be looking for guidance from the borough council on what that work should be, Chairman David Huber said.
The resumption of a Red Bank planning board hearing on a controversial request for a zoning change has been postponed again.
Vidar and Laurie Brekke in the new Mother Knitter shop on Broad Street. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)
By JOHN T. WARD
In this, the first Retail Churn update of autumn, 2021, we turn our attention to sweaters, hats and mittens.
That’s because downtown Red Bank is about to get a new yarn shop, one that its owners envision as a “studio” for knitting and crocheting enthusiasts.
Linda Clark addressing Roger Mumford at Thursday’s hearing. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)
By JOHN T. WARD
Developer Roger Mumford withdrew his controversial proposal for a 20-unit apartment building on Shrewsbury Avenue in Red Bank Thursday night.
The move, coming moments before an expected up-or-down vote by the zoning board, was a win for residents who opposed the plan as gentrifying to a low-income area.
Jon Stewart serving lunch to construction workers from a food truck at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in 2018. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)
By JOHN T. WARD
Political commentator and comedian Jon Stewart is selling one of the two side-by-side riverfront mansions he owns in Red Bank, according to a recent filing.
Hazim Yassin at his first meeting as a council member in January, 2019. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)
UPDATE: September 9, 2021: See Yassin’s response to this article below.
By JOHN T. WARD
Red Bank Councilman Hazim Yassin hasn’t paid the rent on his apartment in 18 months and owes more than $29,000, his landlord alleges in a lawsuit.
Patrick Jeffrey and daughter Elli outside his newly opened restaurant. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)
By JOHN T. WARD
This edition of redbankgreen‘s Retail Churn delivers news about the opening of a new all-day restaurant in downtown Red Bank.
And on the business horizon: a new children’s shoe shop, and a cigar-and-CBD “tasting room.”
A rendering of Saxum’s planned project at Riverside Avenue and Bodman Place. (Click to enlarge)
By JOHN T. WARD
Opponents of a potential tax deal for a massive proposed development in Red Bank may have to cool their heels until October to challenge the first step in the process.
Part of a recent building boom, 170 Monmouth Street is being converted from offices to residences, as seen in June. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)
By JOHN T. WARD
Red Bank Councilman Michael Ballard says a newly enacted ordinance will help address the impact of “explosive development” on borough infrastructure and taxes.
But only if it doesn’t get thrown out by a judge, says Mayor Pasquale Menna.
Daniela Perez and her mother, Nelly, opened Moda Latina on Shrewsbury Avenue this week. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)
By JOHN T. WARD
In this edition of redbankgreen‘s Retail Churn, a clothing store and an indoor golf facility make their debuts in Red Bank.
Also: we’ve got an update on a short-lived West Side pharmacy. Read on…
The plan now calls for five affordable units at 120 Monmouth Street, up one, among the 32 proposed. (Image by S.O.M.E. Architects. Click to enlarge.)
By JOHN T. WARD
After a three-month break, a plan for new apartments on Monmouth Street in Red Bank may get an up-or-down vote Thursday night.
Also on the zoning board agenda: a small expansion of the Parker Family Health Center.
A view of the north side of the proposed Shrewsbury Manor at Allen Place. (Rendering by Michels & Waldron. Click to enlarge.)
By JOHN T. WARD
A plan to build 10 new apartments on the site of a Victorian house won approval from the Red Bank planning board Monday night.
The applicant also garnered praise from the board chairman for not pushing for more.
Saxum’s project would replace the former Visiting Nurse Association headquarters at 176 Riverside Avenue. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)
By JOHN T. WARD
Red Bank’s planning board kicked off a process Monday night that could result in a rezoning of prime real estate.
But while the ultimate goal of the effort – a tax break for a developer – was not under immediate consideration, it was clearly on the minds of objectors, including at least one board member.
Is Tiffany & Co. vacating its store in downtown Red Bank?
A real estate listing might suggest it is. But the building owner says no… not yet, at least.
