RED BANK: NEW RIVERCENTER VISION & HQ

RiverCenter executive director Jim Scavone, left, with Mayor Pasquale Menna and Visitors Center executive director Margaret Mass at the office’s opening last week. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

hot topic red bank nj Red Bank RiverCenter embarked on a new mission last week.

The manager of the town’s special improvement district nailed down a fresh set of priorities that calls for greater emphasis on leveraging the town’s Navesink River waterfront as a draw for visitors and investors.

It also opened its new offices to Broad Street.

October 22, 2018 - 1:30 pm | Comments ()

RED BANK: RIVERCENTER ‘VISION’ SHARPENS

Bill Fontana speaking at the Two River Theater Monday night. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

After four months of public meetings, Red Bank RiverCenter‘s effort to redefine its vision began coming into focus Monday night.

Topping a list of six priorities that the downtown promotion agency should focus on is a “reimagined, redeveloped and reinvigorated riverfront,” a consultant told several dozen business owners and borough residents at the Two River Theater.

September 11, 2018 - 10:15 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: DOWNTOWN ‘VISION’ GAINS FOCUS

Consultant Bill Fontana onstage at the Two River Theater Monday night. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

Downtown Red Bank is safe, clean and friendly, but it’s got problems with parking, store vacancies and its mix of operating businesses.

Those observations, while perhaps glaringly evident to many, were among the findings of a recent survey conducted for business promotion agency Red Bank RiverCenter and revealed Monday night.

August 14, 2018 - 8:15 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: RIVERCENTER REBOOT BEGINS

Attendees filling out questionnaires at the RiverCenter strategy session at the Oyster Point Hotel Monday night. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

Amid intensifying competition regionally for business investment and shoppers, Red Bank RiverCenter kicked off a four-month effort to redefine its vision for the downtown Monday night.

About 70 people, most of them merchants, gathered in a ballroom at the Oyster Point Hotel to hear from a consultant on how to determine “what you want this place to look like in 10 years,” as he put it.

June 19, 2018 - 8:00 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: RETHINKING RIVERCENTER’S JOB

The downtown promotion agency RiverCenter kicks off a mission review next week, and is seeking public input, its officials say. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge.)

By JOHN T. WARD

Through his Monmouth Street store, the Cheese Cave, Steve Catania has been doing business in Red Bank for seven years. And for much of that time, he’s been involved in efforts to advance the interests of downtown retailers like himself.

But if you ask them, most probably couldn’t tell you what Red Bank RiverCenter‘s job really is, says Catania. And that’s a problem, given that it’s supposed to be their advocate.

June 13, 2018 - 2:00 pm | Comments ()

RED BANK: GARAGE DEBATE PREVIEWED

A public hearing on a key measure in the push for a possible garage at the White Street lot, above, is slated for December 14. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

Argument over a potential parking garage for downtown Red Bank dominated the first post-election meeting of the borough council Wednesday night.

No action related to the gradually advancing proposal was on the agenda. But the brief debate may have been an early taste of what’s to come next month, when the council holds a public hearing on a key step in the process.

November 10, 2016 - 7:39 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: PARKING GARAGE CLEARS HURDLE

A redevelopment plan for the White Street parking now goes back to the council for possible adoption, followed by a request for proposals from builders. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

A concept zoning plan for a parking garage that could double the capacity of Red Bank’s White Street parking lot cleared its latest hurdle Monday night, when the borough planning board found it compliant with the town’s Master Plan.

But in returning the document to the borough council for further action, the board asked for reconsideration of some of its particulars. Among them: making sure that any stores and restaurants in the new structure not be exempt from — wait for it — parking requirements.

November 8, 2016 - 12:00 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: PARKING PLAN INTRODUCED

A redevelopment plan for the White Street parking lot now goes to the planning board for review. (Photo by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

By JOHN T. WARD

Merchants, and at least one elected official, were jubilant after the Red Bank council’s latest move toward possible construction of a downtown parking deck Wednesday night.

By a 6-0 vote, the governing body agreed to introduce an ordinance that could result in the adoption of a redevelopment plan for the White Street municipal lot.

What’s in the 10-page plan? Only insiders knew, but to advocates for a large-scale solution to the parking shortage downtown, that didn’t matter. Read More »

October 27, 2016 - 8:10 am | Comments ()

WHAT’S FOR LUNCH? A PIG AND FIG

The Pig and Fig sandwich from the Cheese Cave. (Photos by Susan Ericson. Click to enlarge)

By SUSAN ERICSON

Four and a half years after opening on Monmouth Street in Red Bank, the Cheese Cave, a boutique cheese shop, is often swamped for takeout at lunch time. Whether you call ahead or order when you get there, you may have to wait in line.

If you have the time though, you should consider eating inside. The atmosphere is woodsy and calm. Sandwiches are served on bread boards instead of plates, adding an old-world rustic touch.

But it’s the sandwich combinations — or “sanwicheeses,” as they say here — that pack ’em in.
Read More »

September 25, 2015 - 9:36 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: LIBRARY UNCORKS FUND DRIVE

Kristy Niro and Stephen Catania finalize the wine and cheese pairings for tonight’s event at the Red Bank Public Library, below. (Photo by Jim Willis. Click to enlarge)

By JIM WILLIS

Hunting for a few good wines to serve over the holidays can be a challenge, but expert help is available tonight at the Red Bank Public Library.

The Foundation for the Red Bank Public Library is holding a holiday wine tasting benefit from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the West Front Street facility.

“There are so many things going on on the Thanksgiving table,” says Kristy Niro of Rumson, aka the Cork Maven. “People can have a difficult time finding a wine that’s going to go with the turkey but not going to clash with their wild mushroom barley stuffing or their cranberry dish.”

Guests will be able to sample four holiday wine suggestions and some expertly paired cheeses as well.

November 12, 2013 - 9:10 am | Comments ()

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RED BANK: NEW RIVERCENTER VISION & HQ

RED BANK: RIVERCENTER ‘VISION’ SHARPENS

RED BANK: DOWNTOWN ‘VISION’ GAINS FOCUS

RED BANK: RIVERCENTER REBOOT BEGINS

RED BANK: RETHINKING RIVERCENTER’S JOB

RED BANK: GARAGE DEBATE PREVIEWED

RED BANK: PARKING GARAGE CLEARS HURDLE

RED BANK: PARKING PLAN INTRODUCED

WHAT’S FOR LUNCH? A PIG AND FIG

RED BANK: LIBRARY UNCORKS FUND DRIVE