NJ TRANSIT ANNOUNCES COMPLETION OF RESTORATION OF HISTORIC RED BANK STATION
Ribbon-cutting marks completion of $2.5 million project
December 16, 2014
NJT-14-061
NEWARK, NJ — NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Veronique “Ronnie” Hakim, Red Bank Mayor Pasquale Menna and other officials today marked the completion of a three-year, $2.5 million project to stabilize and restore the historic Red Bank Station.
Built in 1876, Red Bank Station was added to the National and New Jersey Registers of Historic Places in 1976. The project was aimed at stabilizing the facility and restoring its original aesthetics.
“Red Bank Station is a very important facility in NJ TRANSIT’s transportation network but is more than just a rail station to NJ TRANSIT,” stated Executive Director Hakim. “It is an integral part of the fabric of the Red Bank community. It was important for us to return this historic site to its original condition so it may continue to be a landmark for generations to come. Together with Red Bank, we at NJ TRANSIT look forward to welcoming both loyal and new customers at this restored and inviting station.”
The overall goal of this project was to sufficiently protect this landmark station from the natural elements while keeping true to the historic identity of the station and the community it serves.
As part of the project, efforts were undertaken to repair roof soffits, strengthen the wood framing of the structure, replace the shingles with historically accurate slate roof, repoint the brick foundation wall and the brick chimney, recreate a brick “crown" atop the chimney and install new windows and roof dormers.
The restoration also included the reconstruction of the “Yankee” gutters, installation of new downspouts and replacement of historic windows, shutters and gingerbread trim – all with historically correct material. The exterior paint of the station matches its original 1876 color scheme.
“The residents of Red Bank and its visitors are grateful to NJ TRANSIT for the extraordinary renovation and restoration of the Red Bank Train Station,” stated Mayor Menna. “It has been a focus of the community for generations and our essential link to the rest of the state and beyond. The restoration is important because it identified NJ TRANSIT's commitment to our shared historical legacy and preserves it for future generations. It also now is a focus for the rejuvenation of the Train Station district as an anchor in the midst of new transit based and exciting housing opportunities for new generations of Red Bankers. It recommits our town to a strong commercial and transit based future as we move forward with new complimentary projects.”
Red Bank Station is located in Red Bank, New Jersey and serves NJ TRANSIT's North Jersey Coast Rail Line as well as local bus service. The Red Bank Station averages 1187 weekday passenger boardings (FY2014), with 67 daily trains (34 in-bound, 33 out-bound) utilizing the station. Additionally, Red Bank station serves nearly 700 weekday bus customers traveling to and from destinations including Freehold, Middletown, Shrewsbury, Oceanport, Colts Neck, Rumson and Highlands.
About NJ TRANSIT
NJ TRANSIT is the nation's largest statewide public transportation system providing more than 915,900 weekday trips on 262 bus routes, three light rail lines, 12 commuter rail lines and through Access Link paratransit service. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 165 rail stations, 62 light rail stations and more than 19,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.