FRENCH STREET AREA BUSINESS AND PROPERTY OWNERS RECOMMEND THE FORMATION OF A SPECIAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT

New Brunswick, NJ, February 26, 2026 – Following a six-month planning process, the nonprofit organization New Brunswick Tomorrow (NBT), with a planning committee of French Street area businesses and property owners, have released a report recommending the establishment of a Special Improvement District (SID) in New Brunswick’s French Street corridor and the surrounding area. The report, “French Street: Catalyzing Economic Benefits through a Special Improvement District,” lays out a plan and vision for how the area’s businesses, property owners, and other stakeholders can work together through a SID to drive inclusive economic growth and draw more resources and visitors to this vibrant and unique commercial corridor. The district consists of approximately 150 businesses, the vast majority of which are locally-owned, small businesses reflecting the neighborhood’s notable Latin American cultural influence.

Special Improvement Districts, also sometimes known as Business Improvement Districts, are specific areas designated by a municipal government that can raise special funding for exclusive use on activities and services that benefit that district, such as cleaning, beautification, marketing, and assistance to businesses. The power to designate a SID is granted to municipalities by New Jersey state law. Among the over 100 SIDs in New Jersey is New Brunswick City Market, an instrumental constituent in the ongoing revitalization of New Brunswick’s downtown since its formation in 1987.

The recommendation to form a SID in the greater French Street corridor builds on over a decade of collaborative, community-led neighborhood revitalization initiatives. New Brunswick Tomorrow has acted as a convener and catalyst of these efforts, empowering residents and business owners to work together to improve the neighborhood. The City of New Brunswick has been a critical partner in these efforts, as has the state of New Jersey through the funding support of the Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit Program (NRTC) and Neighborhood Preservation Program (NPP). Among the accomplishments of these efforts are the transformation of War Memorial Park, the installation of eight murals, the creation of a police community patrol unit and neighborhood cleaning crew, and the distribution of more than $400,000 in grant assistance to area small businesses.

Establishing the French Street Special Improvement District represents the next phase of this positive trajectory. SID funds are generated by a special assessment on commercial and mixed-used properties in the designated area, creating a sustainable source for ongoing district activities and improvements. The creation of a new, nonprofit district management entity with a board composed of a supermajority of business and property owners will ensure that SID operations reflect local priorities and needs.

“As a proud member of the French Street corridor for over thirty years, we are thrilled about the proposed SID and the positive changes it would bring,” says Carlos Roman, whose family owns and operates two locations of Gaby’s Bakery in the French Street area. “We are confident it will build on existing progress to create a safer, cleaner, and more vibrant neighborhood for residents, customers, and employees. We are excited about the dedicated resources and new opportunities that will empower the small, independent businesses that are the heart of our local community.”

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“SIDs have been a profound positive catalyst to the economic vitality of many of New Jersey’s most notable neighborhoods including Historic Downtown in Jersey City, Montclair Center in Montclair and the Ironbound in Newark,” states Andy Xu, owner of several properties and developer of a new mixed-use development in the corridor. “As a property owner in the corridor, I am excited about the improvements that the SID will bring. New Brunswick is undergoing breakneck development, and the SID will help the neighborhood tap into the economic benefits that it brings.”

“French Street is a great place for businesses and has the potential to be even better,” says Maria Garcia, property and business owner of Las Delicias Bakery and Mi Mundo Travel Agency. “I have seen firsthand how SIDs can benefit the community as a property owner in Perth Amboy as well. I look forward to working with my fellow businesses and owners in the French Street are to make this a reality.”

“NBT has worked closely with residents, businesses, and many others to invigorate the French Street corridor and Esperanza Neighborhood. A SID represents a tremendous opportunity to ensure that businesses can thrive here for the long term and residents can benefit from an improved quality of life,” states Jaymie Santiago, President of New Brunswick Tomorrow. “We are proud to be a part of the neighborhood’s revitalization now and into the future.”

The planning process leading to this report included extensive consultation with area business owners, multiple notices to all potentially affected property owners, and research and analysis of best practices for designing and operating SIDs in New Jersey. The proposal to designate a French Street Special Improvement District now rests with the City of New Brunswick, which has encouraged the planning process. NBT and the SID planning committee anticipate that the City Council will take up consideration of an ordinance to establish the SID in its coming meetings. The full report is available to read at www.frenchstreetnj.com/news.

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About New Brunswick Tomorrow

New Brunswick Tomorrow is a nonprofit social impact organization dedicated to enriching the lives of New Brunswick’s people by improving quality of life for all who call New Brunswick home. NBT fosters networks of community stakeholders and institutions, serving as a catalyst in developing solutions that address the issues that matter most to city residents. For more information, visit www.nbtomorrow.org.

Contact

Charles Bergman

Director, Neighborhood Strategies

New Brunswick Tomorrow

732-246-0603 cbergman@nbtomorrow.org

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