TOMS RIVER, NJ- Nov. 2- A ribbon cutting ceremony was held today to celebrate the availability of public parking at Sovereign Bank in Toms River. This is a cooperative effort of the Toms River Business Improvement District (BID), Sovereign Bank, and the Dover Township Parking Authority.

"We are committed to helping local businesses. By making our parking lot available to the public on nights and weekends, we are able to partner with the BID in its efforts to revitalize Downtown Toms River. What better way to give back to the community." commented Sharon Pastras, Senior Vice President, Sovereign Bank.

Bill Clegg, Chairman of the Dover Township Parking Authority said, “This has been a perfect example of public and private cooperation for the progress of the downtown area. We admire Sovereign Bank for working with us to improve public parking for visitors to the district area. Donna Discimile of Trammell Crow, along with Sharon Pastras and Keith Buscio of Sovereign Bank were all instrumental in seeing this project to its completion.”

Attending the event and cutting the ribbon was Dover Township Mayor, Paul C. Brush. “I’m always delighted to see local businesses working together to improve a situation. Adding additional public parking to our downtown area is encouraging for people of our surrounding community to visit and dine in the downtown area,” the Mayor stated. Dover Township Council President Gregory P. McGuckin said, “I applaud the cooperative effort between the Toms River BID, Sovereign Bank, and the Dover Township Parking Authority. This is good for the downtown area and for the Dover Township Community.”

Michael Redpath, the TRBID’s Executive Director, spoke of the purpose behind the work of the BID. “We are rebuilding the center of our community,” said Redpath. “Anytime we can cooperate with other organizations within our district to help create a better environment for the public, we take advantage of the opportunity.”

The TRBID was established by township ordinance in late 2002 and began functioning formally in July 2003. A business improvement district is a tool for revitalizing a specific business area within a community. Through the municipality, the businesses in that defined area levy an assessment on themselves to support a professional organization to manage the area's economic revitalization and health. This past July the TRBID released a master plan for the District. The TRBID is bordered by the Toms River, the Garden State Parkway, Hooper Avenue, and the south side of Route 37. More information regarding the BID and its activities can be obtained by calling 732-341-8738 or visiting the BID’s web site at www.DowntownTomsRiver.com.