Frequently Asked Questions

Red Bank RiverCenter is a 501(c)(3) non-profit formed in 1991 to manage the Borough of Red Bank’s Special Improvement District.

A special improvement district (SID) is a defined area, generally in the central business district of a downtown (or a mixed-use corridor in a larger city) that is authorized by state law and created by an ordinance of the local government to collect a special assessment on the commercial properties and/or businesses in that area. That assessment is granted to a District Management Corporation (DMC). In Red Bank, the Red Bank RiverCenter is the DMC.

The special improvement district includes the downtown shopping and business areas of town. Click here to see the RiverCenter map. Those areas shown in pink were the original boundaries formed in 1991. Those shown in blue were added when the district was expanded in 2007 in response to the wishes of businesses on the west side of town.

RiverCenter is governed by a board comprised of at least 50% downtown property owners. This board and its committees set the agenda, priorities, and initiatives for RiverCenter. It also hires and supervises staff, and determines the annual budget and assessment amount. In a sense, Red Bank’s business community governs itself.

RiverCenter is funded in two ways. First, it is funded by the assessment paid by the property owners in the Special Improvement District. Second, it raises its own funds through special events like the International Flavor and Guinness and Oyster Festivals, grants, and an occasional donation. No taxes from individual residents are used to fund RiverCenter staff, events, or facilities. Additional details about funding sources can be found in our audited financial statement and IRS Form 990 (non-profit tax return), found on our web site.

River Center has 2 full-time staff: the Executive Director and the Events & Marketing Manager. There is also a part-time Project Manager and part-time Maintenance Professional who handles litter control and other sidewalk/curbside maintenance.

RiverCenter works to keep downtown Red Bank a clean, beautiful and vibrant place for residents, business and property owners, and visitors. To that end, RiverCenter:

• Helps recruit new businesses to fill commercial vacancies in town
• Helps new businesses navigate the various start-up procedures in town
• Promotes Red Bank businesses through special promotions like Restaurant Week, Girls Night Out, and the Red Bank Wedding Walk
• Promotes the Red Bank business community through e-newsletters, website, Facebook, and traditional advertising campaigns
• Holds events like the Red Bank Classic 5K, Red Bank Oktoberfest and the Red Bank Town Lighting with Holiday Express to bring thousands of people into town and raise money for local charities
• Oversees the Red Bank BroadWalk seasonal pedestrian plaza
• Funds and implements capital improvements like the Broad Street and Monmouth Street streetscape projects and the landscaping and seating improvements in front of Borough Hall.
• Keeps the sidewalks litter and weed free with sidewalk maintenance personnel and keeps them beautiful through its successful
• Horticulture program, a collaboration between RiverCenter, the borough, and local garden club volunteers that installs and maintains displays of attractive flowers and plants throughout the district.
• Creates a festive atmosphere to attract shoppers during the holiday shopping season by funding and maintaining decorations, lights, and activities in town. During the summer months, it runs the StreetLife program, which hires local musicians and visual artists to entertain passersby on downtown streets.
• Works with its members and local elected and appointed officials to create a more business-friendly environment in town.

RiverCenter has no legal authority to enact or enforce laws, rules, or regulations. Through its Visual Improvement Committee, it has input on construction plans and proposals submitted to the borough. It also plays a role when ordinances that impact the special improvement district are developed or refined. Whatever actions it takes, it takes them on behalf of the business and property owners that govern it.