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Home Care In Red Bank, NJ

Home Care Red Bank, NJ

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic T. Thomas Fortune Cultural Center gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Red Bank, NJ is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Red Bank, NJ

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

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TESTIMONIALS

“I just started using always best care for my dad The certified aids that came from the agency were fantastic This situation is new for myself and my dad For having no complaints from my dad is a plus So ty again for such an easy transition for my dad Much appreciated Susan”

susan A.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Such an amazing company with employees who truly care about their business and those they take care of. Caretakers are top notch and customer service is great and they are available whenever you need them.”

Josie J.
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TESTIMONIALS

“It is a pleasure to work for someone that genuinely respects caregivers for the job we do!”

laura K.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider I can’t begin to tell to you how pleased I am with Always Best Care. Not only have they placed the perfect caregiver with my mother they also take care of the billing and when I need to speak to a receptionist they are always available. Thank you!!”

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TESTIMONIALS

“I cannot thank Always Best Care enough for helping us find an ideal Assisted Living Facility for my mother. We moved to the city a month ago and had little idea about the local senior living communities. I’d like to thank the highly experienced and knowledgeable caregivers of Always Best Care for helping our family during the difficult time.”

Theodore S.
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“I am a current client of this provider Your manager is always nice and flexible, and the caregivers are sweet and wonderful”

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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider We are very happy with Always Best Care. They do 24hr care, and the caregiver is excellent. I would recommend them.”

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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider We have hired Always Best Care. We have them for 5 to 6 weeks now. My mother practically does everything herself, but sometimes they might fix her her lunch, there might be a little bit of shopping, and they take her to her appointment. My mother is fine. The hours are fine. She got the hours that she requested. I know she is being billed on her credit card. They have been very helpful and very cooperative. The women always call back.”

Judy367738
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider We hired Always Best Care two weeks ago for my mom. The woman comes in three days a week to assist my mother with doing the wash, keeping the house picked up, and just talking to her. She’s wonderful. We interviewed several people, and there was just something about the way they were organized in their presentation and their follow up. that impressed us. They were a level above the other ones that we spoke to. They really listen to you about your needs and work very hard to match the caregiver up with what you’re looking for. We were very impressed with them.”

Nancy176801

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Red Bank, NJ?

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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

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At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

 Senior Care Red Bank, NJ

Types of Elderly Care in Red Bank, NJ

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming

Respite Care Red Bank, NJ
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
 Caregivers Red Bank, NJ
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Count Basie Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Home Care Red Bank, NJ
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local 26 West On The Navesink or visit War Memorial, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.

At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.

If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.

 In-Home Care Red Bank, NJ

Benefits of Home Care in Red Bank, NJ

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in Red Bank, NJ, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.

Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.

In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

 Elderly Care Red Bank, NJ

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your NJ's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
 Senior Care Red Bank, NJ

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Red Bank, NJ understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.


Respite Care Red Bank, NJ

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
 Caregivers Red Bank, NJ

At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.

Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.

Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:

  • The Atrium at Navesink Harbor
  • A Place For Mom - Senior Living Advisor Janet Wheeler
  • United Methodist Communities at The Wesleyan
  • RedBank Center for Rehabilitation and Healing
  • Senior Care Services
  • Visiting Angels
Home Care Red Bank, NJ

For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.

 In-Home Care Red Bank, NJ

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Red Bank, NJ 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

 Elderly Care Red Bank, NJ

Latest News in Red Bank, NJ

RED BANK TRAIN STATION PLAN GETS AIRING

It was a full house for the first Red Bank Planning Board hearing on the train station redevelopment plan. (Photo by Brian Donohue. Click to enlarge.)The Red Bank Planning Board began digesting the outlines of what would become a densely developed new neighborhood at the heart of town last night, as a borough planner presented a draft of the proposed train station area redevelopment plan.At their first hearing on the plan, board members also began hearing from residents, who voiced an array of concern...

It was a full house for the first Red Bank Planning Board hearing on the train station redevelopment plan. (Photo by Brian Donohue. Click to enlarge.)

The Red Bank Planning Board began digesting the outlines of what would become a densely developed new neighborhood at the heart of town last night, as a borough planner presented a draft of the proposed train station area redevelopment plan.

At their first hearing on the plan, board members also began hearing from residents, who voiced an array of concerns over the proposed guidelines for the 25-acre tract, including the size of the buildings, potential competition for existing businesses, and the overall effect on the character of Red Bank itself.

“There is a real opportunity here to create a real sense of place,” Susan Favate, principal in the Borough-hired firm BFJ Planning told the board.

But several in the crowd of several dozen attendees voiced concerns over what kind of place it would be.

“A lot of residents are just concerned about the size and scale of this development and how it’s going to affect the town,” Branch Avenue resident Steve Ansell told the board. “Because it just seems like a gargantuan development in a town which, in terms of its personality, doesn’t deserve to have something of this size.”

Favate presented slides from the 44-page draft redevelopment plan describing proposed building height limits (five and six stories); density limits (50 units per acre); open space requirements; affordable housing minimums (20 percent of all units) and scores of other criteria.

She also described the larger goals of the plan itself: to connect the downtown and Shrewsbury Avenue corridors, support “multimodal transportation opportunities” and build more affordable and market-rate housing.

BFJ planners, she said, drew from the 2023 Borough Master Plan, input from residents at a community workshop last summer, and from developer Denholtz, who owns multiple properties in the zone and is NJ Transit’s designated developer for its parking lots.

There are also, she said, lessons learned from other so-called transit-oriented development projects: “Learning from other people’s experiences and learning from other people’s mistakes,” she said.

The planning board’s role is to determine whether the redevelopment plan is consistent with the borough’s 2023 Master Plan. It can then vote on whether to forward it to the Borough Council, who would vote on whether to encode it as an ordinance, effectively creating new zoning for the area.

The developer, assumedly Denholtz, would then submit for Planning Board approval a site plan describing specifically what they want to build.

In December, Denholtz unveiled concept plans for two six-story buildings and a five-story structure containing a total of up to 400 apartments and two parking garages for up to 900 cars.

RED BANK: 400 APARTMENTS, GREEN PLAZA, NEW STREETS IN TRAIN STATION PLAN

The concept also includes ground floor commercial space, the construction of two new streets and a pedestrian-only promenade and the conversion of the parking lot next to the historic train station into a park-like area with trees and green space.

John Anderson, Chairman of Rivercenter, the nonprofit charged with promoting downtown businesses, asked how much new commercial space would be created, saying he was concerned about creating competition with existing businesses. “It jumped out at me because it’s important to us,” he said.

Favate said the plan could include some “upper level caps” on commercial uses and encourage amenities like a day care that might be less likely to compete with existing downtown businesses.

The meeting ended with a back and forth between board member Wilson Beebe and Hudson Street resident Mary Ellen Mess.

Beebe hailed the merits of a plan that could create at least 80 affordable housing units and help reverse the town’s population decline that dates back to the second half of the 20th century.

The plan “may be too big, maybe not” he said, but would nonetheless put “feet on the street and bring some vibrancy back to downtown and some housing that’s very much needed. “

Mess, remarking that Beebe’s remarks seemed to be aimed at her earlier criticisms of the plan, replied stating she doubted the plan would create housing suitable for families.

“The biggest cohort is empty nesters, that’s who’s moving to these luxury apartments,” she said.

The hearing will resume at the Planning Board’s meeting on April 9.

redbankgreen editor Brian Donohue may be reached via email at [email protected] or by calling or texting 848-331-8331 or yelling his name loudly as he walks by. Do you value the news coverage provided by redbankgreen? Please become a financial supporter if you haven’t already. Click here to set your own level of monthly or annual contribution.

Remember: Nothing makes a Red Bank friend happier than to hear "I saw you on Red Bank Green!"

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400 apartments, retail space could be coming to one of N.J.’s oldest train stations

A proposal to turn parking lots at one of New Jersey’s oldest train stations into a mixed-use complex with up to 400 apartments is beginning to move through a local approval process.The Red Bank Borough Planning Board held a public hearing recently on a redevelopment plan that would allow two apartment complexes, five and six stories tall, around the shore town’s NJ Transit center...

A proposal to turn parking lots at one of New Jersey’s oldest train stations into a mixed-use complex with up to 400 apartments is beginning to move through a local approval process.

The Red Bank Borough Planning Board held a public hearing recently on a redevelopment plan that would allow two apartment complexes, five and six stories tall, around the shore town’s NJ Transit center.

The apartments would be split between two parcels — a north and a south section — with at least 80 units set aside for affordable housing, according to planning documents.

On the north lot, the proposed project designates space for commercial buildings and an open “green plaza” that could host public gatherings. The plaza would be built around the train station and could feature decorative walkways, seating, public art, water features, food kiosks and cafes.

Facilities such as banks, restaurants, art spaces, bars, child care centers, urgent care facilities, and more could occupy the up to 60,000 square feet of ground floor space allocated for commercial use.

A vote on the proposal was postponed to April 23 following a lengthy two-hour public comment session where residents were divided over the project.

Some raised concerns that tall apartment buildings, congestion and increased traffic could change the character of their community. Others supported the plan, noting that Red Bank needs more affordable housing options for young families.

The development will be implemented without compromising the station’s role as a transportation hub for the region. Rail and bus services, as well as pedestrian, bicycle and car access, will be maintained, according to the planning documents.

More than 700 parking spaces for both commuters and residents will remain available, along with two proposed parking garages, according to preliminary plans.

New streets with improved lighting, benches and public art will also be designed to make the area more pedestrian-friendly, developers said.

If the Red Bank Planning Board approves the redevelopment plan, the borough council will also need to vote on it. Site plans must be approved before the developer can begin construction.

In 2021, Denholtz Properties was selected as the developer for the NJ Transit property near the Red Bank train station. For years, Red Bank has been planning the redevelopment of the 26-acre site into a modern community space.

Developers also said they will prioritize preserving the historic Red Bank train station, which was built in 1876. The station is famous for being a stop on a pre-World War II train trip by the King of England and is listed on both the National and State Registers of Historic Places.

In 2014, NJ Transit allocated $2.5 million to stabilize and renovate the aging station. The restoration returned the station to its historically accurate appearance.

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Nyah Marshall may be reached at [email protected]

RED BANK: MARINE PARK TRANSFORMATION BEGINS

The bright yellow arrivals in Red Bank’s Marine Park this first week of spring were not the usual daffodils sprouting from the earth. They were bulldozers getting ready to rip it up.Construction equipment and workers arrived to begin the second – and doubtless more visually dramatic – phase of the long-planned park redesign project.The first phase, completed last year, involved moving the parking lot to the inland, southwesternmost corner of the park on Union Street by paving o...

The bright yellow arrivals in Red Bank’s Marine Park this first week of spring were not the usual daffodils sprouting from the earth. They were bulldozers getting ready to rip it up.

Construction equipment and workers arrived to begin the second – and doubtless more visually dramatic – phase of the long-planned park redesign project.

The first phase, completed last year, involved moving the parking lot to the inland, southwesternmost corner of the park on Union Street by paving over the area where the clay tennis courts sat before Hurricane Sandy.

Now, workers will begin ripping up the existing parking lot to create a wide lawn along the riverfront and installing a large new playground below the grove of trees. (see previous coverage below). As of dusk Wednesday, several less-than-healthy looking sycamores on a median in the parking lot had been removed.

Members of Red Bank’s Shade Tree Committee, along with a member of the planning board, had expressed concern about the number of trees being cut down for the project, especially in the area of the playground which sits at the base of a shaded slope lined with mature trees.

According to an environmental impact statement prepared last year by borough engineers CME Associates, a total of twelve trees will be removed including four for the playground area.

But confusion was stirred late last year because schematics released with the plans for the park indicated a higher number of trees would be cut down.

At the February 27 meeting of the Mayor and Borough Council Council member Nancy Facey-Blackwood, liaison to the Shade Tree Committee said members had met with an engineer for the project and came away “happy” with the plan. She has previously stated that once new trees are planted, the park will have a larger number of trees than before the remake.

RED BANK GOES BIG WITH MARINE PARK PLAYGROUND PLANS

In an interview with redbankgreen this week, Committee Chairperson Remedios Quiroz said members were indeed satisfied with engineers’ promises to plant larger four-inch thick replacement trees instead of skinnier saplings and to install an irrigation system to make sure they survive.

But she sounded more perhaps a tad more resigned than happy.

Despite the numbers in the environmental impact statement, she said 11 trees would be removed for the playground section, including a few that sit on the sloping hill.

That area needs to be leveled to make way for the playground and engineers said the trees would not survive, she said.

“I would have preferred the playground to be on the already flat surface,’’ Quiroz said.

She said the committee got as many concessions as they could out of the process.

“We know it’s going to happen so we have to make the best of it.”

Borough manager Jim Gant said officials worked closely with engineers and the playground manufacturer Kompan “to limit tree removal in the area of the playground.”

But he said some of the trees on the slope will need to be removed to ensure the proposed playground meets the state’s rules for Completely Inclusive Playgrounds.

Gant called meetings with the Shade Tree Committee “invaluable” adding “we leaned heavily on their input.”

“Particularly these committees will have significant input over our planting plan for the finished product of the park, which will include 29 new shade trees and 28 ornamental trees, along with hundreds of shrubs and ornamental grasses,” he said in an email.

The $4 million makeover of Marine Park is funded by a mix of grants and borrowing. The playground, funded through a still-pending state grant, promises to be a large-scale upgrade with features accessible to children with disabilities.

Traffic down Wharf Avenue to the park was blocked off Wednesday night evening with no parking signs in the lot below. Workers had moved a milling machine onto the site and appeared poised to start kicking some serious asphalt.

“Seeing progress at Marine park is very exciting and will be an improvement for Red Bank well into our future,” Gant said in his email. “There will be something for everyone here.”:

redbankgreen editor Brian Donohue may be reached via email at [email protected] or by calling or texting 848-331-8331 or yelling his name loudly as he walks by. Do you value the news coverage provided by redbankgreen? Please become a financial supporter if you haven’t already. Click here to set your own level of monthly or annual contribution.

Remember: Nothing makes a Red Bank friend happier than to hear "I saw you on Red Bank Green!"

RED BANK: TRAIN STATION REDEVELOPMENT HEARING SCHEDULED

A rendering of the proposal for the Red Bank train station redevelopment area. (Photo by Brian Donohue. Click to enlarge.)The Red Bank Planning Board has scheduled the first public hearing on what could be the largest development the town has seen in more than a century: the train station redevelopment plan.The meeting notice, along with the long-awaited 44-page draft redevelopment plan for the 13-acre parcel were uploaded to the bottom of the Borough Web Site earlier this week with little other disce...

A rendering of the proposal for the Red Bank train station redevelopment area. (Photo by Brian Donohue. Click to enlarge.)

The Red Bank Planning Board has scheduled the first public hearing on what could be the largest development the town has seen in more than a century: the train station redevelopment plan.

The meeting notice, along with the long-awaited 44-page draft redevelopment plan for the 13-acre parcel were uploaded to the bottom of the Borough Web Site earlier this week with little other discernible public notice.

A redbankgreen flow chart from last month explains the process for the train station project.

The draft redevelopment plan by Borough consultants BFJ Planning was issued on March 14, according to the date on the title page. Notice of the plan and the meeting were posted here on a section at the bottom of the borough’s newly redesigned website entitled “News Flash” dated March 17.

As of this writing on March 21, the meeting does not appear on the calendar on the home page of the borough website and there are no public meetings listed for March 26. The public hearing does not appear in the “Events and Meetings” section (see screen grab below). The listing for the Planning Board’s regularly scheduled March 26 meeting also has no accompanying agenda attached.

The Borough’s social media channels also make no mention of the report or meeting, with the Borough’s Facebook page posts for the past week including a post about a planned rain garden, a Pride in the Park celebration, traffic alerts, and a gardening workshop.

In response to questions about the announcement, Borough Manager Jim Gant replied:

“The redevelopment plan along with public notice including notice in the newspaper have been published. The website notice also advised of the public hearing date and included the redevelopment plan in our news and highlights portion of our website. We have recently made this portion of our website much more visible than it had previously been. This matter and its timeline has been discussed on the record and is now a course of action for the planning board before it goes to the Mayor and Council. Aside from these planned public meetings the Borough hosted 2 Community Engagement sessions at the Senior Center. Much of that feedback was considered in the drafting of this redevelopment plan. It is no surprise that as a Borough, we are at this point in the process, requiring Planning Board action.”

If approved by the Planning Board and the Borough Council, the long-awaited redevelopment plan will serve as the zoning for the parcels in the area around the station, which include a mix of properties owned by NJ Transit and the agency’s designated developer Denholtz.

The plan appears to closely reflect the concepts outlined by Denholtz in late 2024 (see story below) allowing buildings of five and six stories to accommodate two structures that would contain up to 400 apartments and two parking garages with up to 900 spaces.

The proposal also calls for the creation of a landscaped public plaza surrounding the historic train station building, which will be preserved.

The draft redevelopment plan divides the redevelopment area into three districts: District A, where a mix of residential, commercial, and parking are permitted on two parcels, labeled north and south; District B, which is the site of the borough’s public works yard on Chestnut Street where government facilities, public utilities, would be permitted; and District C, which includes facilities along Chestnut Street owned by the Count Basie Center for the Arts. Zoning in District C would adhere to the borough’s zoning rules for business-residential districts under the plan.

“Development shall establish a cohesive built environment that fits harmoniously with Red Bank’s existing context and the immediate area, in building scale and massing, architecture, and building materials,” the plan reads. “Individual buildings may vary in architectural styles and materials but should complement each other and the surrounding area.”

A screen grab from the draft redevelopment plan showing zoning requirements for the train station area.

It includes requirements on everything from bike racks to maintaining “the residential scale of West Street between Monmouth and Chestnut Streets..using building setbacks, landscaping, and screening of parking garages and similar infrastructure. ” The plan also calls for widening of sidewalks on Monmouth Street and other areas to make the area more pedestrian friendly.

The Planning Board is now charged with determining whether the plan is consistent with the 2023 Master Plan and forwarding it to the Mayor and Borough Council to consider adopting it as an ordinance.

The plan can be found here:

Here is the meeting information:

March 26, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the Municipal Building, First Floor, Council Chambers, 90 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, New Jersey.

From the Borough’s meeting notice: “Any person who is interested in the redevelopment area and plan may attend this public hearing and may ask questions or make statements. Formal action of the Planning Board in the form of a recommendation to the Governing Body may be taken.

A copy of the Redevelopment Plan and the associated maps is available for public review online on the Borough of Red Bank’s website, Borough News & Highlights: https://www.redbanknj.org/ or in the Planning and Zoning Office, 90 Monmouth Street, 3rd Floor, Red Bank, NJ, by calling and scheduling an appointment with the Director of Community Development, Shawna Ebanks at 732-858-8352.

redbankgreen editor Brian Donohue may be reached via email at [email protected] or by calling or texting 848-331-8331 or yelling his name loudly as he walks by. Do you value the news coverage provided by redbankgreen? Please become a financial supporter if you haven’t already. Click here to set your own level of monthly or annual contribution.

Remember: Nothing makes a Red Bank friend happier than to hear "I saw you on Red Bank Green!"

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