THERE WAS A TIME
There was a time about 10 years ago when the store fronts on Broad Street
were for the most part empty. As I remember there were at one time 51 stores
vacant in the Down Town District. This was the time of the start of the SID
or Special Improvement Districts that were helping to revitalize dying
downtowns across the country. Red Bank was smart enough and lucky enough to
put on a dog and pony show to the Town Counsel, land lords and residents and
have it approved.
Everyone was aware that if the downtown died the burden of the taxes
would be levied on the residents. The SID or Rivercenter was created and
over the next 10 years Red Bank became “Hip Town” a very desirable place to
“Live, work and play.” By the way, I coined this phrase in the late 70’s
while doing “Windows on Monmouth” a local cable show I had for 4 years. At
that time I was working on everything I could to promote Red Bank. I have
always had great faith in this town of ours. I had been disappointed in the
slow growth in my section of the Arts and Antique District and Shrewsbury
Avenue during the last ten years. Only now is that changing.
There was a time during the ten years when almost everyone was happy with
what was happening with our town. Broad Street was becoming a destination
for restaurants and shopping. The tax rates on the business district were
raising dramatically. Today the business district pays 39% of the town's
taxes. Enhanced by the fact the businesses do not send children to school is
a windfall for the residents.
I was told that it costs the taxpayers around $13,000 a year for every
student enrolled. If a home owner pays $8,000 a year in taxes on their home
and has two children in school the difference is $14,000 they are getting in
school benefits as well as town services. You would think the residents
would love the business district.
They did until the political machines started to grind away. (to be
continued)
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