Borough of Red Bank
Borough of Red Bank
1. Overview of Red Bank and Its Waterfront
1.1 Geographic Overview
Incorporated in 1908, the Borough of Red Bank is
located in Northeastern Monmouth County. Bounded
by the Navesink River on its northern and western
border, the Borough takes its name from the clay
banks of this river. To the east is Fair Haven and to
the South are Shrewsbury, Little Silver and Tinton
Falls. Red Bank has an area of 1.75 square miles and is about five miles inland from the
Atlantic Ocean. The Borough is served by the Garden State Parkway, Route 35, Route 36
and linkages to mass transit buses and trains along the NJ Transit Coastline Rail. This
train line runs between New York City and Bay Head, New Jersey.
1.2 Demographics
The 2000 census reports Red Bank's population at 11,844. This is a
decline from the 1980 census when the population was 12,031. The
median age is 37.5 years old. The racial composition is mostly
comprised of White Non-Hispanic with 59.6%, followed by 20.1%
Black, 17.1% Hispanic, 6.7% Other Race, 0.9% American Indian, 0.9% Filippino, and
0.6% Chinese. It is notable that 15% of the total population of the Borough is foreign
born, with most of this percentage being from Latin America (10.1%) and Europe (3.0%).
This river town has a mix of residential and commercial development. 45.5 % of the
housing stock is owner-occupied and 50% is renter occupied. The median household
income is $47,282. The median house value is $178,900. 81.1% of the housing
structures are built before 1970, although some new residential development is occurring.
Source: Bonnie J. McCay, Debbie Mans, Satsuki Takahashi, and Sheri Seminski. 2005.
“Public Access and Waterfront Development in New Jersey: From the Arthur Kill to the
Shrewsbury River .” Keyport, New Jersey: NY NJ Baykeeper. http://www.nynjbaykeeper.org
Borough of Red Bank
Commercially, Red Bank has several art galleries, three music stores, a recording studio,
nightclubs, sixty-four restaurants, and the 1,400-seat Count Basie Theatre. Plus, there are
plans underway for the town’s own professional drama company, the Two River Theatre.
The top three occupations for the residents are: 36.6% in “management, professional and
related occupations;” 29.8% in “sales and office occupations;” and 19.5% in “service
occupations.”
Red Bank’s designation as a regional center in the New Jersey State Development and
Redevelopment Plan, along with its revived downtown retail and entertainment sectors,
continue to provide fuel for the trend of increasing service businesses and retail. Most of
Red Bank’s income comes from taxes. Several engineering, accounting, research,
management, architecture and investment firms have offices in Red Bank.
1.3 Historical Overview of the Waterfront
Red Bank was once part of Shrewsbury Township until it was incorporated in 1908.
Historically, this area developed commercially as a harbor town in the 1700s. Use of the
waterfront involved paddle wheel steamboats, sailing ships, commercial fishing and the
oyster industry which once flourished on the Navesink River. This river port was an
important connection with New York City. Today, the Marine Park area and the areas
along Broad Street are part of the older section of the Borough.
In the 1880s, railroads gave way to a second commercial center or commercial cluster. As
a result there are visibly two different commercially developed areas in Red Bank, which
is evident in the zoning and street maps. These two sections have very different
characteristics and are literally divided physically by the train-tracks in town. East of the
train line includes commercial areas and houses of mostly middle to upper middle income
level residents, in which the resident ethnicity is more likely to be white. West of the train
line has much less commercial areas and more housing for lower income residents, whose
ethnicities tend to be black, Hispanic and other minorities.
Source: Bonnie J. McCay, Debbie Mans, Satsuki Takahashi, and Sheri Seminski. 2005.
“Public Access and Waterfront Development in New Jersey: From the Arthur Kill to the
Shrewsbury River .” Keyport, New Jersey: NY NJ Baykeeper. http://www.nynjbaykeeper.org
Borough of Red Bank
2. Waterfront Use
2.1 Summary of Waterfront
Located on the Navesink River and Swimming River,
which is the narrower part after Navesink River, Red
Bank’s waterfront areas are fully developed for
commercial and residential uses, public facilities, and
parks.
With approximately 3.75 miles of riverfront shoreline, the use of the waterfront includes:
boating, sailing, fishing, winter iceboating and summer sailboat regattas, concerts (e.g., a
three-day riverfront jazz and blues festival), walking, viewing, canoeing, kayaking,
windsurfing, recreational clamming and crabbing. Red Bank experienced an economic
decline in the 1960s and 1970s, which is likely the result of competition from
surrounding malls and mega-store shopping centers. Since then, the municipal board has
been working towards revitalizing its economy through its downtown and riverfront
areas.
The riverfront/waterfront area has one municipal waterfront park, Marine Park, which
used to be a steamboat dock. The park includes a fishing pier, walkways with benches, a
parking lot, and tennis courts. This waterfront area is also used for weddings, jazz
festivals, and film festivals during summer.
There is no public boat launch in Red Bank. There used to be a public boat launch on
Washington Street but it was damaged and never repaired. A local environmental group
has banded together to explore rebuilding it. There is no ferry terminal or service.
In the Marine Park area, there is also a private boat club, the Monmouth Boat Club. This
boat club is open all year round due to ice boating in the winter. Notably, ice boating in
USA was started in Red Bank and national competitions are held there. Today, the club
primarily serves as a Yacht club and was founded in 1879.
Source: Bonnie J. McCay, Debbie Mans, Satsuki Takahashi, and Sheri Seminski. 2005.
“Public Access and Waterfront Development in New Jersey: From the Arthur Kill to the
Shrewsbury River .” Keyport, New Jersey: NY NJ Baykeeper. http://www.nynjbaykeeper.org
Borough of Red Bank
Commercial sites along the waterfront also include two hotels, a dinner riverboat, and
restaurants. It is estimated that approximately 90% of the waterfront areas of Red Bank
are occupied by single-family homes. These private residential areas along the waterfront
do not allow public access.
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Fee
X
Restroom Facilities
X
Food Concessions
X
X
Picnic Facilities
Handicapped Accessible
X
X
Swimming
X
Birdwatching
X
Hand Launch
X
X
Trailered Launch
X
X
Passive Recreation
Marine Park
GPS
Public Marina
Location
Private Marina
Address/
Name/Facility
Fishing
Common
Parking
2.2 Waterfront Access Sites
X
Publicly recognized sites
Broad Street
(Downtown Area) &
Maple Street
X
Riverside Garden
Park (Green Acres)
X
X
X
X
X
Marine Park to
Cooper’s
Riverwalk
Bridge
X
Red Bank
Municipal Basin
Marine Park
X
X
X
84 W Front
Behind Red Bank
Street- behind
Public Library
library
X
Informally used and accessible
End of Locust
Locust Ave
Avenue
End of
Monmouth
Monmouth Street
Street
“Sunset Streets”-
Prospect Ave -
Prospect Ave
Street End
“Sunset Streets”-
N. Washington
N. Washington St
St -Street End
“Sunset Streets”-
Bodman Place
Bodman Place
-Street End
“Sunset Streets”-
Locust St -
Locust St
Street End
Source: Bonnie J. McCay, Debbie Mans, Satsuki Takahashi, and Sheri Seminski. 2005.
“Public Access and Waterfront Development in New Jersey: From the Arthur Kill to the
Shrewsbury River .” Keyport, New Jersey: NY NJ Baykeeper. http://www.nynjbaykeeper.org
X
Borough of Red Bank
“Sunset Streets”-
River Street-
River Street
Street End
“Sunset Streets”-
Bank Street-
Bank Street
Street End
“Sunset Streets”-
West Bergen St
West Bergen St
-Street End
“Sunset Streets”-
Maple Ave-
Maple Ave
Street End
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Along Navesink
& Swimming
Residences
Rivers
Chris River Marina
West Front St
X
X
X
31 Union St
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Others
Private Property
Monmouth Boat
Club (private)
Historic
X
261 West Front
Sea Land Marina
Street
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Irwin's Boat Works
Marine Park
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Molly Pitcher Inn
88 Riverside
and Marina
Avenue
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Oyster Point Hotel
146 Bodman
and Marina
Place
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
The Big Kahuna
Riverboat
Marine Park
X
X
Publicly recognized sites:
Marine Park: Consists of a large open park area associated with the neighboring
waterfront marinas in the waterfront district.
Broad Street (Downtown Area) & Maple Street: The streets leading from downtown to
the waterfront district have good signage and are pedestrian friendly.
Source: Bonnie J. McCay, Debbie Mans, Satsuki Takahashi, and Sheri Seminski. 2005.
“Public Access and Waterfront Development in New Jersey: From the Arthur Kill to the
Shrewsbury River .” Keyport, New Jersey: NY NJ Baykeeper. http://www.nynjbaykeeper.org
Borough of Red Bank
Riverside Garden Park: This
two-acre site is situated along
the Navesink River and Front
Street in Red Bank. The park
site was purchased in the early
1990’s with State of New
Jersey Green Acres funding. It
has a large lawn area for
audience seating, a stage area
overlooking the river, an
outdoor dining area, and a concession and restroom facility.
Riverwalk-Marine Park to Cooper’s Bridge: Riverwalk is planned to be a continuous
public promenade along 4,700 feet of shoreline. The western most section of the
Riverwalk has been built along the waterfront of the Oyster Point Hotel and the eastern
most point is at Marine Park. The Riverwalk project is supported by the contributions of
the Red Bank River Center, an alliance of downtown Red Bank businesses. The project
involves 20 property owners and the Borough to ensure public access through easements
for the Riverwalk. The beginning phase of building the Riverwalk is underway.
Red Bank Municipal Basin: Located in Marine Park, the Red Bank Municipal Basin, has
slips and operates a stationery pumpout, which is available 24 hours a day all year round.
It is self-operated and there is no fee for use of the pumpout station.
Source: Bonnie J. McCay, Debbie Mans, Satsuki Takahashi, and Sheri Seminski. 2005.
“Public Access and Waterfront Development in New Jersey: From the Arthur Kill to the
Shrewsbury River .” Keyport, New Jersey: NY NJ Baykeeper. http://www.nynjbaykeeper.org
Borough of Red Bank
Informally used and accessible:
Behind Red Bank Public Library:
There is a tract of property accessible
behind library that affords a view and
access to the riverfront.
“Sunset Streets”: These streets are actually street ends wherein the public can view the
sunset clearly on the water. They include the street ends at Prospect Avenue, North
Washington Street, Bodman Place, Locust Street, River Street, Bank Street, West Bergen
Street, Maple Avenue, and Monmouth Street.
Private Property:
Private Residences along Navesink and Swimming Rivers.
Chris’s River Plaza Marina: located along West Front Street, this marina has a concrete
ramp, restrooms and boat slips for seasonal use and winter storage.
Monmouth Boat Club: This boat club was founded in 1879 and is located near the head
of the Navesink River. The boat club is maintained and run by its members. It has
moorings, trailored launch, restrooms, and a bar and restaurant for members and their
accompanied guests only.
Sea Land Marina: This marina has restrooms, a concrete boat ramp and boat slips.
There is a size restriction on vessels greater than 26 feet in length. The Sea Land
Source: Bonnie J. McCay, Debbie Mans, Satsuki Takahashi, and Sheri Seminski. 2005.
“Public Access and Waterfront Development in New Jersey: From the Arthur Kill to the
Shrewsbury River .” Keyport, New Jersey: NY NJ Baykeeper. http://www.nynjbaykeeper.org
Borough of Red Bank
Marina’s staff also operates a portable pumpout, available from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
from April 15th until October 15th. There is $5.00 fee is charged for the use of the
pumpout.
Irwin's Boat Works: This full service marina offers storage, repair, parts for boats and a
stationary pumpout, available from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. beginning May until October
31. A fee of $5.00 is charged for the use of the pumpout station. Notably, the dockside
utility also has hook-ups for electricity, water, telephone and satellite television services.
The marina also has a Café located on the river’s edge.
Molly Pitcher Inn and Marina: The facility has guest rooms and suites, a pool, banquet
and meeting facilities, and a marina. The same entity owns the Molly Pitcher Inn and the
Oyster Point Hotel and as a result the two facilities share some of the marina amenities.
The marinas operate a stationary pumpout available upon request for customers of the
marina.
Oyster Point Hotel and Marina: The hotel has about fifty-eight rooms and four suites.
The marina operate a stationary pumpout available upon request for customers of the
marina.
Other:
Big Kahuna Riverboat: This riverboat is owned by the Kahuna Group and offers
seasonal, sightseeing, sunset and dinner cruises.
3. Waterfront Issues, Planning Initiatives
3.1 Waterfront Issues
Red Bank has been focusing on its riverfront/waterfront as part of its redevelopment plan.
The municipality is planning to improve the flow of pedestrians by fixing the sidewalks
of Broad Street to Marine Park. Also, the Borough plans to provide parking spaces for
visitors inland rather than at the waterfront area in order lead visitors through Broad
Source: Bonnie J. McCay, Debbie Mans, Satsuki Takahashi, and Sheri Seminski. 2005.
“Public Access and Waterfront Development in New Jersey: From the Arthur Kill to the
Shrewsbury River .” Keyport, New Jersey: NY NJ Baykeeper. http://www.nynjbaykeeper.org
Borough of Red Bank
Street to the waterfront area. The Borough hopes to sustain the character of the town
while improving the businesses on Broad Street, which is the historic downtown area.
A locally affiliated environmental group is working to rebuild the previous public boat
launch on Washington Street.
The ban on shellfishing in the Navesink River (imposed in the early 1960’s) was lifted in
the 1990’s, due mainly to the elimination in the 1970’s of the small wastewater treatment
plants that emptied directly in the Navesink.
3.2 Planning Initiatives
Based on information gathered from reports and interviewing, Red Bank seems to be
trying to improve and preserve the Borough rather than redevelop it. There is an informal
partnership between the municipality and the public, with the municipal officials listening
to the public opinions. Many of the planning documents and reports demonstrate that the
municipality and the public are partnering to bring about progress, such as with the
Riverwalk, waterfront district, and efforts to formalize a public area to view sunsets along
street ends.
In Red Bank’s 1995 Master Plan, it reports that “the riverfront is a special resource that is
uniquely attractive to private development, but it must also be accessible and useful to the
community. Therefore special zoning districts will be created that identifies the land uses
that are appropriate to the river edge locations, adjacent to the western river edge and to
downtown…”. Much of the planning and redevelopment activities presently visible in
the borough seek to build on the accessibility and utility of the waterfront.
“The Red Bank Agenda” outlines much of Red Bank’s strategic revitalization plans in
relation to its 1994 Red Bank Vision Plan and the 1995 Red Bank Municipal Master Plan.
Land objectives included the goal to develop, improve and expand public access to the
waterfront, including both the Swimming River and the Navesink River areas. The
Source: Bonnie J. McCay, Debbie Mans, Satsuki Takahashi, and Sheri Seminski. 2005.
“Public Access and Waterfront Development in New Jersey: From the Arthur Kill to the
Shrewsbury River .” Keyport, New Jersey: NY NJ Baykeeper. http://www.nynjbaykeeper.org
Borough of Red Bank
changes in land development since the 1995 Master Plan include, additional parking
downtown, increased residential development throughout the Borough, increased
business occupancy downtown, and increased property values. The changes
recommended include the increased need for an open space plan, bicycle and pedestrian
plans, and a cultural resource plan.
Additionally, Red Bank has a “Waterfront Access and Open Space Plan,” prepared in
partnership by the Borough of Red Bank and the Monmouth County Planning Board.
The report presents and assesses progress of concepts and details of providing waterfront
access.
Progress has been made in creating a Riverwalk, a planned continuous public promenade
along 4,700 feet of shoreline. The western most section of the Riverwalk has been built
along the waterfront of the Oyster Point Hotel, as has the eastern terminus at Marine
Park. The Riverwalk project is supported by the contributions of the Red Bank River
Center, an alliance of downtown Red Bank businesses, and requires the participation of
20 property owners in addition to the Borough, many of whom have already granted
public access easements for the Riverwalk. Red Bank has received Green Acres funding
for the Riverside Gardens Park, which is along the Riverwalk. Additionally, in the
summer of 2003 NY/NJ Baykeeper planted an oyster reef in the Navesink River, adjacent
to the Oyster Point Hotel and east of Cooper’s Bridge. The reef is about one acre in size
consisting of oyster and surf clam shell, oysters grown by Baykeeper’s oyster gardeners,
and baby oysters raised in laboratories.
Waterfront properties in Red Bank are zoning differently depending on adjacent land use.
For example, waterfront properties zoned “Residential Development” are not permitted to
exceed six dwellings per acre. This is because this area is adjacent to the residential areas
of the Borough. Whereas, the “Waterfront Development” zone permits “detached single
family dwellings; multi-family dwellings known as garden apartments at a density not to
exceed 16 units per acre, provided, however, that those properties adjoining the Navesink
River and fronting on Riverside Avenue may have a density not to exceed 40 units per
Source: Bonnie J. McCay, Debbie Mans, Satsuki Takahashi, and Sheri Seminski. 2005.
“Public Access and Waterfront Development in New Jersey: From the Arthur Kill to the
Shrewsbury River .” Keyport, New Jersey: NY NJ Baykeeper. http://www.nynjbaykeeper.org
Borough of Red Bank
acre; multi-family dwellings known as town houses at a density not to exceed 10 units
per acre; professional offices; business offices; home professional offices; primary food
service establishment; hotel, motel and B&Bs; essential services.” This is because this
zone is located adjacent to commercial areas of the Borough, where one would expect
higher densities. However, it should be noted that Red Bank does not have any zoning
specific to water-dependent uses for waterfront land.
4. Summary
Red Bank’s reports, plans and documents provide evidence that the municipality has a
high degree of public access as defined by the walkways, parks, and vistas at least in the
commercial areas of the Borough. Public access in the residential areas is more
undefined, although efforts to promote street end use are occurring. Additionally, it is
unclear that the Borough is working to preserve or promote the more traditional maritime
and water-dependent uses of the waterfront.
References
Borough of Red Bank and Monmouth County Planning Board, “Red Bank Waterfront
Access and Open Space Plan” (June 2000) (submitted for a Smart Growth Planning Grant
from the Department of Community Affairs).
Brown & Keener Urban Design, “Borough of Red Bank, New Jersey 1995 Master Plan,”
Adopted May 13, 1996.
Gail O’Reilly, Director of Special Projects, Interview (Jan. 22, 2004).
O’Reilly, Gail, in collaboration with Brown & Keener, Urban Design, “Borough of Red
Bank- Strategic Revitalization Plan” (Sept. 1, 1996).
Source: Bonnie J. McCay, Debbie Mans, Satsuki Takahashi, and Sheri Seminski. 2005.
“Public Access and Waterfront Development in New Jersey: From the Arthur Kill to the
Shrewsbury River .” Keyport, New Jersey: NY NJ Baykeeper. http://www.nynjbaykeeper.org
Borough of Red Bank
Reexamination Report of Master Plan and Land Development Regulations (Mar. 11,
2002).
USGS, Satellite Photograph: Red Bank
(http://www.city-data.com/city/Red-Bank-New-Jersey.html)
Zoning Map (2003).
Source: Bonnie J. McCay, Debbie Mans, Satsuki Takahashi, and Sheri Seminski. 2005.
“Public Access and Waterfront Development in New Jersey: From the Arthur Kill to the
Shrewsbury River .” Keyport, New Jersey: NY NJ Baykeeper. http://www.nynjbaykeeper.org