Rutherford Downtown Partnership

• Streetscape Improvements

The Rutherford Downtown Partnership worked with the Borough in the initial development of the design for upgraded sidewalks, lampposts, trees and garbage cans in the downtown. The actual construction work was paid for by state grants received by the Borough. The Partnership continues to work to enhance the overall look of the downtown area including: hiring sidewalk sweepers to assist business owners on the weekends, planting flowers in each of the tree pits, funding the Rutherford signs in traffic circle at the train station, paying for new garbage cans for the Williams Plaza area, and cigarette disposal urns for key areas in the downtown.

The RDP also has established a set of regulations for façade improvements in the downtown district. In cooperation with the Borough’s Building Dept., the RDP reviews all proposals for changes to the exterior of buildings in the district (including new signs, awnings, and painting), determines whether they are accordance with the approved streetscape regulations, and ensures that the work is done according to the approved plans.

The Partnership also provides members in good standing with façade grants, or sign and awning grants. Once a project is approved, constructed and paid for a business can be eligible to receive a matching grant for the work up to certain dollar limits.

• Promotions and Events

The RDP works to create and build events and other promotional activities that will draw people to the downtown district. Activities have included: The Rutherford Farmers’ Market, The Taste of Rutherford, The Hamiltonian Parade and Festal, late night shopping and free gift wrapping for the Holidays, The Shop Rutherford Gift Certificate Program, postcard campaigns to encourage people to visit various types of businesses, publishing of the Business Directory, . In addition, the RDP organizes the Labor Day Street Fair and the Holiday Festival, The Labor Day Street Fair drew over 40,000 people to the downtown commercial district during this 2010 once day event.

• Maintenance

The RDP organizes Keep Rutherford Clean Day, as a means to encourage local residents to help keep the downtown area free of litter. This program includes hosting a poster drawing contest for the event for elementary school children, and an organizing contest for high school students. The RDP works with the Rutherford Garden Club and the Board of Aesthetic Review to make Keep Rutherford Clean Day a successful community-wide event. The RDP also hires a sidewalk sweeper to help business owners year round to keep their sidewalks free of litter on the weekends