Group wants J'burg to achieve its potential
Revitalization meeting set for 7:30 p.m. May 8 at borough hall
BY SETH MANDEL
Staff Writer

Jamesburg

JAMESBURG - If indeed love is all you need, the Jamesburg Revitalization Coalition is off to a strong start.

"People actually come into my shop and they say, 'I love Jamesburg,' " said Teddy Ehmann, owner of Family Framers and chairman of the newly formed coalition. The phrase, he said, has become the slogan for the coalition's revitalization efforts "because people really express that. I know the residents love Jamesburg."

The coalition was formed in January to explore the borough's revitalization potential, something that residents and visitors alike often discuss, Ehmann noted.

"They look at Jamesburg and they say it's really got potential," he said. "It's not like looking at the emperor's new clothes; they know that it's not just this great, quaint little historic town. There are things that we can do. And at the same time, they overlook those shortcomings and they just see the potential."

According to Ehmann, the coalition is set up to provide representation to every group in town.

Councilman John Longo is the governing body's liaison, Historical Association President Ron Becker represents the historical interests, Civic Association President Elliot Strouhl represents the residents, and Ehmann himself, as president of the Jamesburg Area Chamber of Commerce, represents the business community.

Ehmann said many of the functions of the Chamber of Commerce are now under the purview of the Civic Association in order to avoid any conflict of interest.

Consensus of interest, however, is the goal of an upcoming town hall meeting on the revitalization issue.

The meeting will take place May 8 at 7:30 p.m. at borough hall to introduce the public to the coalition and gather residents' input as to what the focus of the revitalization efforts should be.

Among the concerns sure to be raised, Ehmann said, are environmental, business, educational and residential issues.

"But we're looking to build something from those things that overlap, that we all can rally behind," Ehmann said. "Some kind of vision."

That consensus is important, he said, because once the borough has a coalition and consensus, it becomes a prime candidate for funding and assistance from a national revitalization organization.

"You have to have the coalition. They're not going to come in and organize your coalition and gather consensus for you. You have to have consensus," Ehmann said.

Hightstown Councilman Ryan Rosenberg offered his advice to Ehmann on the subject, which was to create a fully representative coalition and build a consensus. That is how Hightstown obtained funding for its own impressive revitalization efforts.

But one necessity that can't be purchased is something that Jamesburg has plenty of - history. Ehmann said the borough's past as a major commercial and entertainment center is a key component of the revitalization process.

Developers and commercial tenants are looking for a town with historic charm, Ehmann noted.

"In order to have a future as a revitalized downtown, you have to have a past," he said. "They'd rather come into a revitalized place like Red Bank than they would to a mall these days."

And, Ehmann said, there are some choice locations in town that have recently become available, such as DiBrizzi's Pizza and Ice Cream shop on Forsgate Drive.

"So with the coalition in place, we could probably attract the right people to develop it," Ehmann said.

Most of the area's recent commercial development, he said, has consisted of "big box" retail, forcing residents of Jamesburg and Monroe Township to go elsewhere for shoe stores, pet supply shops and other such stores.

The one consensus the borough has already achieved, Ehmann said, is that something must be done to preserve its historical character. As for the direction of the revitalization, Ehmann plans to conduct a survey in May to give coalition members an idea of the common items on each interest group's wish list.

Ehmann said residents are encouraged to participate in the town hall meeting, and those wishing to get involved prior to that can contact Ehmann at (732) 605-7900, or attend the next coalition meeting, scheduled for May 4 at 8:30 a.m. at Lisco's Country Cafe, 49 East Railroad Ave.

It's a big commitment, Ehmann said, and though it will take some time, he is confident the coalition's goals and those of the residents of Jamesburg will be met.

"The people that are on the coalition, we know, we're in this for years and years and years," Ehmann said. "But there's plenty to be done."