Frequently Asked Questions About The Rutherford Special Improvement District

The Rutherford Downtown Partnership is a Special Improvement District that was created in 1997 under Borough Ordinance # 2776-96, and NJSA 40:56-65. The Partnership is a non-profit corporation funded primarily by special assessments on the commercial space in the district and business license fees charged by the Borough to the businesses in the district.

Who Oversees The Work Of The RDP?

The Rutherford Downtown Partnership is governed by a Board of Trustees. The fifteen members of the Board include 5 property owners and 5 business owners elected by the membership, 3 residents of the Borough who are appointed by the Mayor and Council, a representative of the Rutherford Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the Mayor and Council. Elected Board members serve two year terms. The RDP Board of Trustees meets monthly, with separate Committee meetings during each month to determine what activities the RDP will carry out.

How Much Do The Members Pay?

Property owners in the core area of the district are charged a special assessment (over and beyond their regular property taxes). This special assessment is equal to 6% of the assessed value of the commercial space in the building and the assessed value of the land. Property owners in the non-core area of the district (outlying area) are not charged the special assessment, but are also not eligible for façade grants issued by the Partnership. Business owners in both the core and non-core parts of the district pay an annual business license fee to the Borough, based on the square footage of their space. Business licenses are $150, $200, or $250 for space up to 1500 sq. ft, 1501-3000 sq. ft, and over 3000 sq. ft respectively.

All monies from the special assessments and business license fees are turned over to the Rutherford Downtown Partnership to enable the organization to carry on it's various functions.

What Does The RDO Do To Improve The Downtown?

• 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 Hambletonian Parade and Festival, late night shopping and free gift wrapping at the holidays, the development of Comcast commercials, The Shop Rutherford Gift Certificate Program, postcard campaigns to encourage people to visit various types of businesses, publishing of the Business Directory, and two years of The Rutherford Criterium Bike Race. In addition, the RDP works closely with the Borough to organize the Labor Day Street Fair and the Holiday Festival, so that these events are successful for local businesses.

• 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.