Point Pleasant Beach Business Improvement District Vote Delayed

POINT PLEASANT BEACH, NJ — Plans to create a business improvement district for downtown Point Pleasant Beach have been delayed, after the Borough Council tabled an ordinance to form the district.

The council voted to table the ordinance that was up for a second reading and final vote at the July 5 council meeting, after business owners and building owners asked for more information and more discussion on the proposal.

Mayor Paul Kanitra said the district has been the subject of meetings and discussions for more than 18 months, sparked in part by a desire to get building and business owners more involved in brightening up the downtown, for the good of all the businesses.

"We've been working really hard to have a plan for downtown," Kanitra said, citing a mishmash of building and decor styles, and buildings that are "falling apart," along with vacancies.

The board of the business improvement district, which would be funded by an annual assessment on building owners, would be made up of business owners and building owners.

Borough planner Debra Lawlor said the creation of the business improvement district also would open up grant possibilities to fund improvements and programs.

The goal would be to work together with the chamber of commerce, Kanitra said.

But several people who spoke said business owners and building owners were only minimally aware that the proposal for the business improvement district had reached the point of taking action.

"I just heard about it two weeks ago," one man said, referring to the council meeting where the ordinance to create the business improvement district was first introduced.

Others expressed concerns that the assessment would be too much to swallow as businesses face ongoing struggles from the pandemic.

"I think it's a great idea, I just think the timing is bad," one building owner said.

"We know we're in a bad time, but it's something that might help you," council member Arlene Testa said. "It's something nice to try because our downtown is beautiful."

The council voted unanimously to table the ordinance, with it potentially being heard again at the July 18 council meeting.

You can watch the July 5 council meeting public hearing and discussion here.