Downtown Renew Committee Launched To Revitalize Downtown Long Branch

April 17, 2012 - PRLog -- Long Branch, NJ (April 16th, 2012) –  A team of volunteers has established “Downtown Renew”, an exciting new program to revitalize downtown Long Branch by encouraging a cohesive business district that embraces a beautification program to dispel and reverse the appearance of neglect. “Downtown Renew” is led by Joy Bastelli, Carol Mellaci, Faith Teitelbaum, Jennifer Smiga and a team of volunteers from local businesses, the City of Long Branch and residents. Bastelli presented the group’s proposal for action at a Greater Long Branch Business Association meeting on March 21st, 2012 at the Long Branch Urban Enterprise Zone Program (UEZ) offices on Broadway.

Though not the first attempt at revitalizing the downtown area, the Committee of Downtown Renew hopes to focus on an education and action plan that will help them to achieve success by empowering business owners and residents to tackle its litter problem for the greater good of the community.  The volunteers will host cleanups and meet with business owners to help them comply with City ordinances if requested.

“I’m glad to see an interest in Downtown,” said Mayor Adam Schneider. “We’re seeing a renewed determination from storeowners, landlords and volunteers.  We will do all we can to help support their efforts.”

“The economy has hit businesses and communities hard across New Jersey,” said Carol Mellaci, “Downtown Renew” volunteer. “Our volunteers are looking to energize Long Branch’s vibrant multicultural shopping district so that we can offer local families and visitors a unique and affordable place to shop and play. No other seashore town in New Jersey offers our diversity of flavors and products.”

Partnerships, cleanups and survey campaigns will be key components of Downtown Renew. By listening to the community, city officials, and business owners, the group is determined to learn the root causes of Long Branch’s littering so it can focus on education projects that will be key to change. If you are a citizen, organization or business that would like more information on joining the Committee, email downtownrenew@yahoo.com.

Volunteers Needed for Cleanup
Join the Downtown Renew team on Saturday, May 12th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for its first cleanup. Register and pickup supplies at 9:00 a.m. sharp at Broadway Band Shell on the corner of Union Avenue and Third Avenue. The first 100 volunteers to register will receive t-shirts donated by the UEZ.

Email downtownrenew@yahoo.com or call the UEZ at  732-923-2043 with any questions or to register. Pre-registration is required for an accurate count of supplies. Volunteers seeking community services hours will receive a letter affirming participation.

The Dirty Facts About Urban Litter
According to Keep American Beautiful (KAB), litter cleanup costs the U.S. almost $11.5 billion each year, with businesses paying $9.1 billion.  Governments, schools, and other organizations pick up the remainder. Community economy and quality of life suffer.  The presence of litter in a community takes a toll on quality of life, property values, and housing prices.  KAB’s 2009 National Visible Litter Survey and Litter Cost Study found that litter in a community decreases property values 7%.


Litter also has environmental consequences.  Wind and weather, traffic, and animals move litter into gutters, lawns and landscaped areas, alleyways, and parking structures.  Debris may be carried by storm drains into local waterways with potential for serious environmental contamination. Long Branch is an urban seashore community and it’s vital to make the connection between the health of our waterways and the health of our community.