Broadwalk Gets 'Straw Poll' OK For Another Season in Red Bank

RED BANK, NJ — The Red Bank Borough Council has given its informal support for the Broadwalk to reopen this season, from May 15 to at least Oct. l

It wasn't on the agenda last week, but after two meetings to consider the matter, and hearing public opinion, the council gave the Red Bank RiverCenter an informal go-ahead - and Mayor Billy Portman said he hoped businesses have sufficient time to plan for the opening.

The council already heard this month from the RiverCenter Executive Director Bob Zuckerman about the benefits and popularity of the Broadwalk car-free plaza.

At a second meeting, the council heard from residents and restaurant owners about Broadwalk's value - and most residents were in full support of it.

After hearing lots of opinions from the public March 22, the ball went quickly into the council's court to reauthorize Broadwalk for this season.

There was some discussion of dates at both ends of the season, but after some input from the council, Zuckerman and business owners, the May 15 to Oct. 1 period was agreed to.

But authorizing the Broadwalk was not listed on the agenda, so it was agreed the matter will be finalized April 12, the next regular council meeting.

With Zuckerman back for the meeting March 22, the council informally set some parameters for the concept:

• It can run from May 15 to Oct. 1, although there may be some future consideration to extend past that date.
• The fees for the restaurants to place tables outside will remain the same as in 2022, which were calculated by square foot, $2.25 per square foot.

Councilwoman Kate Triggiano noted the fees in 2022 were double from the 2021 per parking-space rate, so they should remain stable and not be raised. The borough will collect the fees directly from the users of the Broadwalk.

Mayor Portman said he hoped the council's informal support gave businesses enough time to establish their plans - and he seemed assured that it was doable by restaurateur Tim McLoone, of Robinson Ale House, who was in the audience.

Plans to enhance the 2023 Broadwalk experience in downtown Red Bank were presented to the Red Bank Council by Zuckerman on March 8.

The Broadwalk came into being in 2020, as a response to COVID restrictions on indoor dining. The concept is popular and has become an anticipated part of the summer scene ever since, he said.

Last summer, the opening was delayed until late July when a major reconstruction project was completed on Broad Street.

Zuckerman gave a report on how the organization plans to build on the positives of Broadwalk and mitigate some of the negatives.

Briefly, it would involve better litter control, more oversight of loading zone violations and providing more afternoon community activities.

He said a survey of restaurant owners showed two-thirds like the idea of the Broadwalk, which runs on Broad Street from Front Street south to White Street and is cordoned off by retractable, protective bollards at either end.

The outdoor concept is a festive way to attract visitors to Red Bank in the summer when tourists often set their sights on beach towns like Long Branch and Sea Bright, Zuckerman said.

Earlier at the March 22 meeting, residents had a chance to make their opinions about Broadwalk known, including some candidates for council in the upcoming May 9 election.

No one who spoke wanted to cancel Broadwalk. But the concept had varying degrees of acceptance.

Erin Fleming, a candidate for council on the Red Bank Together team, was first to speak, saying litter was a concern from the outdoor dining and urged more cleanup at night.

She said she supported Broadwalk, but recommended that it not be seven days a week.

She said the plaza didn't seem that busy mid-week, so she proposed limiting the number of days it was open since it closes a major road in town. She said Wallace, Harrison and Prospect streets are already "overburdened" by traffic.

Tim McLoone of Robinson Ale House said seven days a week is the best plan for Broadwalk. He said restaurant owners rent the outdoor tables and would have nowhere to put the tables on off days.

Also, with the shorter Broadwalk season last year, business was down $200,000 from the year before, so a full week for the longer period would be best. He added he was grateful for the Broadwalk and the council's support for it.

"Coming out of the pandemic, it was a lifesaver," he said.

Laura Jannone, another council candidate but of the Red Bank's Ready team, said Broadwalk adds to the spirit of the borough.

A former school nurse and now nursing professor, she said she loves to see children "chalking on the sidewalk and riding bikes. It reminds me a lot of Europe," she said.

She also said post-pandemic mental health issues show it is very important for people to socialize, as Broadwalk encourages.

Another council candidate, Suzanne Viscomi, said enforcement seems to be the common theme in many borough issues - be it litter control at Broadwalk or cannabis retailers or other issues.

Broadwalk is a "cool thing - a unique thing" But it comes down to enforcement," she said.

For the most part, residents saw Broadwalk as a way to enhance the borough's downtown character and walkability.

Resident Barbara Boas said she didn't think Broadwalk should be renegotiated every year. She said the Broadwalk concept is "lovely."

"We had kind of lost our spark, and this puts it back," she said.