Downtown Toms River is looking forward to an exciting future of revitalization and redevelopment. Four major development projects and building rehabilitations are already underway. The new southbound bridge crossing the Toms River has been opened in December of 2006. This bridge has enhanced traffic movement while opening up underutilized properties to traffic increases that will lead to them being repurposed in ways that will add to the vitality of Toms River’s traditional downtown.

A large area south of West Water Street between Main Street and the Garden State Parkway is undergoing designation as an area in need of redevelopment with transit oriented development as a hallmark. A redevelopment study has been completed and is available for download to the right of this page. With all the change, there also will be retention of the elegant village feel that has been so much a part of Downtown Toms River for decades.

The decline of a central business district… the center of a community… takes place over a long period of time as a collection of actions working independently of any plan pick away at the community. To propel Downtown Toms River energetically into revitalization, the organization has developed a Master Plan for the District in conjunction with Phillips Preiss Shapiro Associates, a distinguished planning consulting firm from New York City. This plan has been incorporated into Toms River Township’s Master Plan.

While Downtown Toms River was working on its Master Plan, it was privileged to host a design studio from the Edward J. Bloustein School of Public Policy and Planning at Rutgers University. The graduate students who conducted the studio studied the riverfront in Downtown Toms River and developed a plan that encompasses essentially the area that will be designated an area in need of redevelopment.

For your convenience, we have posted here the Downtown Toms River Master Plan, a PowerPoint presentation regarding that plan, the Bloustein Studio report, and a PowerPoint presentation regarding the studio. Please feel free to download these documents and study them.

Should you have any questions or comments you can call Downtown Toms River at 732-341-8738 or email us at info@downtowntomsriver.com.