RED BANK: BELLHAVEN MAKEOVER IN SIGHT

Consulting engineer Christine Ballard details the Bellhaven plan for the council last week. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

After years of revisions, and no small amount of controversy, changes to the Bellhaven Natural Area in Red Bank could be completed by this summer, officials said last week.

Once again, the project has been scaled-back from a version of a plan that called for a spray park and triggered loud protests four years ago, they said.

February 13, 2019 - 4:00 pm | Comments ()

RED BANK: DOWNTOWN GETS FIRST TATTOOS

Michael Saunders inks a new tat for Red Bank resident Nick Goskowsky on opening day at Front Street Tattoo. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

Just three months after the Red Bank council voted to allow tattoo parlors downtown, one has inked its first butterflies and skulls onto biceps and bellies.

January 17, 2019 - 5:10 pm | Comments ()

RED BANK: DEMS GLIDE INTO NEW YEAR

Mayor Pasquale Menna prepares to swear in new fire Chief Wayne Hartman, center, and deputies Scott Calabrese and Bobby Holiday. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

Red Bank’s government turned the calendar page to 2019 with a friction-free reorganization meeting Tuesday that kicked off the fourth term of Mayor Pasquale Menna and gave Democrats unfettered control of borough hall.

Here are some highlights:

Read More »

January 2, 2019 - 7:30 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: TATTOO SHOP INKS LEASE

Front Street Tattoo plans to take a portion of the space previously used by Sugarush; the cupcake shop remains. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

red bank, nj, retail, retail churn Just a month after the Red Bank council voted to allow tattoo parlors downtown, one has inked a lease in the district.

Also in Retail Churn: a new women’s accessory shop plans to open.

November 21, 2018 - 3:00 pm | Comments ()

RED BANK: TATTOO, MEDICAL POT ZONES OK’D

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

hot topic red bank nj 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.

October 12, 2018 - 12:31 pm | Comments ()

RED BANK: CLAY COURTS SCRAPED

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?

October 4, 2018 - 10:50 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: TATTOO & POT ZONING MULLED

Councilman Erik Yngstrom, seen here on election night in 2016, says he has “a bunch” of tattoos, and initiated the expansion of tattoo parlor zoning. (Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

Once widely seen as evidence of moral decay, tattoos and pot may soon have a place among the nail salons, ice cream shops and restaurants in downtown Red Bank.

September 13, 2018 - 9:00 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: PUBLIC INPUT ON PARKING SOUGHT

The public is invited to weigh in next month on a study now underway to assess parking needs in downtown Red Bank.

Details below. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

August 21, 2018 - 1:40 pm | Comments ()

RED BANK: BELLHAVEN PLAN SCALED BACK

Trees were taken down recently at Bellhaven Natural Area in preparation for an observation deck being built there, according to Business Administrator Ziad Shehady. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

Red Bank officials have quietly started prep work for a project at a site once mired in controversy: the Bellhaven Natural Area overlooking the Swimming River.

The end result, however will be a “scaled-back” version of a plan that once called for a spray park and triggered loud protests three years ago.

July 23, 2018 - 12:00 pm | Comments ()

RED BANK: RIVERCENTER KICKS IN ON PARKING

The borough council is expected to choose a consultant next week to assess parking needs in downtown Red Bank. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

Stalled since the November election, an effort to address parking issues in downtown Red Bank appears about to get back on track next week.

That’s when the borough council is expected to designate a parking consultant, to be paid for in part with funds from Red Bank RiverCenter.

May 23, 2018 - 3:10 pm | Comments ()

RED BANK: MARINE PARK CONCEPTS UNVEILED

Restaurateur Danny Murphy was among the Red Bank residents checking out the newly unveiled concept design plans for Marine Park Wednesday afternoon at the Senior Center.

What do the plans show? Click ‘Read More’ to find out. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

May 3, 2018 - 8:00 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: LOOKING UPSTAIRS FOR PARKING

Local officials say the usage mix and vacancy rates of upper floors downtown factors into parking needs and taxes. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

As the Red Bank council goes back to the drawing board in search of parking solutions after last year’s abandoned flirtation with five developers, local officials admit they’ve got a problem upstairs.

They don’t know how much parking to allocate for upper-floor office and residential tenants downtown. Nobody, it turns out, has been keeping tabs.

May 2, 2018 - 12:00 pm | Comments ()

RED BANK: SECOND PARK BRAINSTORM SLATED

Red Bank resident Michael Paul Raspanti speaking at the first brainstorming session on the Marine Park Improvement Project on April 9. A second session has now been slated. Details below.(Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

April 27, 2018 - 11:30 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: BRAINSTORMING ON MARINE PARK

Borough resident Keith May speaking at the second of two sessions held Monday. Below, some of the suggestions recorded during the first session. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

Invoking the planning process that resulted in the creation of Riverside Gardens Park two decades ago, Red Bank officials launched an effort Monday to remake nearby Marine Park.

At two public brainstorming sessions held at borough hall, residents and visitors weighed in on such matters as small-vessel access to the Navesink River, parking, river cruises and the future of the park’s clay tennis courts, among other topics.

April 10, 2018 - 8:45 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: MARINE PARK SESSIONS SLATED

First came new restrooms (above), sewer pumps and lighting. Up next in Red Bank’s Marine Park Improvement Project is an evening of public input sessions on what to do with the 2.2-acre facility on the Navesink River.

April 8, 2018 - 4:17 pm | Comments ()

RED BANK: PARK SESSIONS RESCHEDULED

Public-input sessions on the future of Marine Park in Red Bank have been rescheduled for Monday, April 9, at 4:30 and 7 p.m. at hall. They were originally slated for March 21 but were canceled because of a snowstorm.

For more information, check out redbankgreen‘s coverage here.

March 28, 2018 - 2:06 pm | Comments ()

RED BANK: CHAMPION HOOPSTERS HONORED

Players from the Red Bank Middle School girls’ basketball team, seen here with coach Amy Campbell and boys’ coach Issac Nathanson, won plaudits at the borough council meeting Wednesday night for nabbing their first Shore Athletic League championship in 24 years last month. Read More »

March 15, 2018 - 3:00 pm | Comments ()

RED BANK: MARINE PARK MAKEOVER KICKS OFF

[UPDATE MARCH 28: Public-input sessions on the future of Marine Park have been rescheduled for Monday, April 9, at 4:30 and 7 p.m. at hall. They were originally slated for March 21 but were canceled because of a snowstorm.]

Almost two years after the Red Bank council rejected three private-sector proposals for use of the red clay tennis courts in Marine Park, the governing body is laying the groundwork for a possible makeover of the entire 2.2-acre riverfront park.

March 6, 2018 - 8:44 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: PARKING STUDY GETS IN GEAR

Officials hope visitors will find parking more readily with the relocation of permit spaces from the White Street lot to the east side lots. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

After a reset triggered by last November’s election, Red Bank’s majority Democrats took their first concrete step toward a possible large-scale parking solution downtown this week.

Meantime, an adjustment in the allocation of permitted parking was completed recently, opening up more visitor spaces in the town’s largest lot, officials said.

February 22, 2018 - 9:45 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: MUMFORD DROPS PARKING BID

Developer Roger Mumford with a rendering of his proposal last June. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

One of the two remaining private-sector contenders to redevelop Red Bank’s White Street parking lot has pulled out, citing frustration in dealing with the borough government.

In the process, he left behind a pair of smoking tire tracks.

January 26, 2018 - 2:30 pm | Comments ()

RED BANK: DEMS TO SEEK PARKING STUDY

Councilman Erik Yngstrom now heads the all-Democrat parking committee. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

After a post-election lull, Red Bank Democrats plan to bring in a parking consultant to offer guidance on how to fix parking issues downtown, Councilman Erik Yngstrom said Wednesday.

January 12, 2018 - 8:41 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: SUNSET PARK CONCEPT TO DEBUT

The so-called Sunset Park concept plan includes a soccer field, riverfront boardwalk, kayak launch and other amenities. (Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

Red Bank residents will get their first look Monday night at a concept plan for a new park on the town’s long-closed landfill site overlooking the Swimming River.

November 23, 2017 - 11:01 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: NEW BELLHAVEN PLAN WINS PRAISE

The new concept plan for Bellhaven Natural Area includes an observation deck, similar to the one shown for illustration purposes above left; playground equipment; and a play area covered with a rubberized safety surface, shown in light green. (Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

Two years after residents gave a thorough hosing to a plan for a spray park in a West Side wetlands, Red Bank officials unveiled a new plan for the Bellhaven Natural Area Wednesday night.

This one got a warmer reception.

Read More »

August 31, 2017 - 7:18 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: PARK DESIGN CONSULTANT SOUGHT

Almost 22 months after the Red Bank council rejected three private-sector proposals for use of the red clay tennis courts in Marine Park, the governing body is getting ready to hire a consultant to come up with a concept plan for the entire 2.2-acre riverfront park.

Read More »

August 28, 2017 - 10:15 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: UNVEILING NEW BELLHAVEN PLAN

After scrapping a controversial plan for a “spray pad” in a children’s play area at Bellhaven Natural Area two years ago, Red Bank officials plan to unveil a new plan for the site next week.

Read More »

August 25, 2017 - 7:15 am | Comments ()

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RED BANK: BELLHAVEN MAKEOVER IN SIGHT

RED BANK: DOWNTOWN GETS FIRST TATTOOS

RED BANK: DEMS GLIDE INTO NEW YEAR

RED BANK: TATTOO SHOP INKS LEASE

RED BANK: TATTOO, MEDICAL POT ZONES OK’D

RED BANK: CLAY COURTS SCRAPED

RED BANK: TATTOO & POT ZONING MULLED

RED BANK: PUBLIC INPUT ON PARKING SOUGHT

RED BANK: BELLHAVEN PLAN SCALED BACK

RED BANK: RIVERCENTER KICKS IN ON PARKING

RED BANK: MARINE PARK CONCEPTS UNVEILED

RED BANK: LOOKING UPSTAIRS FOR PARKING

RED BANK: SECOND PARK BRAINSTORM SLATED

RED BANK: BRAINSTORMING ON MARINE PARK

RED BANK: MARINE PARK SESSIONS SLATED

RED BANK: PARK SESSIONS RESCHEDULED

RED BANK: CHAMPION HOOPSTERS HONORED

RED BANK: MARINE PARK MAKEOVER KICKS OFF

RED BANK: PARKING STUDY GETS IN GEAR

RED BANK: MUMFORD DROPS PARKING BID

RED BANK: DEMS TO SEEK PARKING STUDY

RED BANK: SUNSET PARK CONCEPT TO DEBUT

RED BANK: NEW BELLHAVEN PLAN WINS PRAISE

RED BANK: PARK DESIGN CONSULTANT SOUGHT

RED BANK: UNVEILING NEW BELLHAVEN PLAN