Special Improvement District Initiative Next Stakeholder Meeting Set for April 2nd, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 3, 2025

Contact: Natalie Pineiro

INK Creative Strategies

908-415-8662

npineiro@inkcreativestrategies.com

Dunellen Energizes Downtown Revitalization with Special Improvement District Proposal, Next Stakeholder Meeting Set for April 2nd, 2025

Dunellen, NJ - Dunellen is continuing their steps toward revitalizing its downtown by advancing the Discover Downtown Dunellen, Special Improvement District (SID) initiative.

Since the initiative’s kickoff meeting in June 2024, Dunellen has worked to involve the community.

The Borough held its first stakeholder meeting in October 2024, which welcomed more than 20 stakeholders and focused on engaging business and property owners within the proposed district. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the SID initiative, its potential boundaries, assessment methodologies, and the benefits it aims to bring to the community.

A second meeting is scheduled for April 2, 2025 at 7:30 PM at the Dunellen Senior Center located at 216 Orange St, Dunellen, NJ 08812.

"The upcoming community meeting reminds us of the importance of building trust through open communication and accessibility," said Jason Cilento, Mayor of Dunellen. "This meeting offers a significant opportunity for us to shape Dunellen's future together, and I look forward to hearing from our business owners and property owners as we continue this important work."

This meeting will hone in on the district boundaries, suggested assessment types and rates, and the next steps for establishing the SID and subsequent district management corporation.

The proposed boundaries for the district include North Avenue between Jefferson Avenue and Smalley Avenue and sections of South and North Washington Avenue.

This initiative builds on insights from the 2022 Dunellen Master Plan Survey and community engagement efforts, ensuring the plan reflects the Borough’s shared goals and ambitions.

Stakeholders are encouraged to attend, ask questions, and share feedback. Attendees are asked to RSVP for the meeting at https://bit.ly/DiscoverDowntownDunellen

Downtown consultants INK Creative Strategies are working with the Borough of Dunellen on the initiative. With a strong presence in the downtown space, INK focuses on supporting Special Improvement Districts (SIDs) and Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) across New Jersey. The firm’s expertise includes downtown consulting, management services, and planning services, allaimed at fostering revitalization and economic vitality for communities.

###