BUSINESSES, LANDLORDS AND RED BANK (continued)

With the election of Ed McKenna and a new Town Council at the beginning of the 90’s the political balance that had been primarily Republican for over 12 years was now Democratic. It was also at this time that the Special Improvement District concept was introduced to us by Kerry Zukus. It was sponsored by Mike Sullivan and a host of other business leaders and landlords. In 1991 with the go ahead from Ed McKenna and the Town Counsel the SID, soon to be named “Red Bank Rivercenter” was established. It was a piece of government legislation that enabled the town to tax the business community a property surcharge.

With some 730 businesses in town the assessment collected was about $450.000. This would be operating money to finance: Visual Improvements, Special Events, Retail recruitment, Parking studies, Maintenance, Marketing and Advertising all designed to make Red Bank and destination town. We established a board of 30 local professionals and an executive board of 13 and yours truly was on both for 9 years. We had a number of Executive Directors over the next fourteen years all of which contributed greatly to Red Bank becoming “Hip Town NJ.” They were in order: Tom Clark, Marta Person, Tracy Challenger, Mary Mann, Harriet Cook and Tricia Rumola.

With all the above programs be developed and Red Bank making a name for itself, the single greatest change was Streetscape in 1998 to Broad Street and Monmouth street in 2003. With bricks, pavers and lighting changing the look of the Downtown District the stage was set for the advent of high end stores, the value of properties to accelerate and Red Bank to become a major destination for the entire state. All during this time I was trying to bring the Arts and Antique District into the picture as I felt New Yorkers would travel here over the weekends to visit the “Largest Antique District in the State,” the focus however stated on the Downtown District.

As we came into the new millennium Red Bank was Hip Town and known across the state and country as the model of revitalization for small towns. Coco Pari was open, Hamilton Jewelry was being pursued to open in Red Bank and hints of Tiffany’s coming to Red Bank was rumored. Rents started to climb and everyone wanted a storefront in Red Bank. It worked well….for awhile. (to be continued)