Update:  Link to survey

Strategic Planning Initiative Begins June18, Seeks Public Insights   

RED BANK, NJ - June 5, 2018 - Red Bank RiverCenter (RiverCenter), is excited to invite Red Bank area residents and business owners to participate in the development of a strategic plan with a unified vision and voice for the borough’s downtown. A kick-off meeting will be held at 7 p.m on Monday,  June 18 in the ballroom of the Oyster Point Hotel at 146 Bodman Place.

“Public participation is critical to our strategic planning process,” said James Scavone, executive director of Red Bank RiverCenter. “As Red Bank’s designated Special Improvement District (SID), we want to remain competitive in the region’s ever-growing economic markets and to continuously maintain, reaffirm and grow the downtown as a desirable and valuable place to live, work, grow a business, or visit.”

To facilitate the development of its strategic plan, River Center has engaged the services of the  Pennsylvania Downtown Center (PDC). The Harrisburg-based organization has extensive experience in community outreach, technical assistance, and educational services to assist in establishing a timeless and cohesive direction for RiverCenter’s future.

Known for their dedication to small towns, the PDC will analyze census data, community engagement, physiographics, and survey responses to steer the conversation and planning process. PDC will also assist in creating actions to ensure the continued success and growth of Red Bank’s downtown business community.

The general framework of PDC’s signature Main Street Program, in conjunction with custom procedures designed specifically for RiverCenter, will guide the non-profit’s asset-based and market-driven approach when addressing the strategic planning process for the downtown district.

“Identifying economic drivers within the town will help create a comprehensive vision business owners, residents and visitors alike can get behind,” commented Bill Fontana, executive director of Pennsylvania Downtown Center. “We are very excited to share our knowledge and expertise with the Red Bank community.”

Designed to be interactive and engaging, each of the five sessions invite community members and stakeholders, as well as local officials, to influence the future conversation surrounding the development of the downtown business district. Subsequent meetings will build upon initial findings to further establish evolving strategies, tactics, drivers and goals. The dates of the other meetings are:

• Monday, July 16, 2018
• Monday, August 13, 2018
• Monday, September 10, 2018
• Monday, October 15, 2018

“This is an exciting time for Red Bank,” said Stephen Catania, Chairman of Red Bank RiverCenter and owner of The Cheese Cave. “As we look to the future of our organization, we feel now is the ideal time to invest in an overarching strategic plan to establish a cohesive vision which the public can have a hand in shaping. We encourage anyone who is interested in lending their voice to this process to attend these collaborative meetings where we will welcome a variety of ideas and feedback.”

To learn about Red Bank RiverCenter, please visit www.RedBank.org or view the event flier. 

For more information about Pennsylvania Downtown Center, please visit padowntown.org.

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About Pennsylvania Downtown Center

Pennsylvania Downtown Center is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to downtown issues and the revitalization of the hundreds of central business districts and surrounding neighborhoods. PDC provides affordable services to member communities, uniquely tailored to their respective economic and social conditions. These communities include urban and rural downtowns and neighborhoods of all sizes.

About Red Bank

Red Bank is an all-season destination to residents and visitors who look to retreat to the New Jersey coastline for relaxation without compromising their craving for culture. The town's rich historical roots, combined with world-class shopping, outdoor fairs, and festivals, are just some of the reasons families and friends journey to the riverside town. Traditional and contemporary art galleries, award-winning theaters and performing arts venues, gourmet and casual dining, luxury boutique hotels and pristine landscapes exemplify why residents and visitors, near and far, choose Red Bank.

About Red Bank RiverCenter

Red Bank RiverCenter is a 501c3 not-for-profit organization established in 1991 by an alliance of local businesses, property owners, residents, and other stakeholders to enhance and promote Red Bank’s downtown district as a mid-Atlantic destination for dining, shopping, and culture. Red Bank RiverCenter helms the town’s Special Improvement District to promote Red Bank businesses through special promotions. RiverCenter also supports the business community through recruiting new businesses to fill commercial vacancies and helps them navigate the various start-up procedures in town. For more information, please visit: https://www.redbank.org/rivercenter/