Welcome to the new web address for the Keyport Downtown and Waterfront Study and Plan. As the planning process progresses, keep checking this space for updates, meeting locations and times, interim plans, and other information.

The Study and Plan is being sponsored by the Borough of Keyport, and funded through a Smart Growth Grant from the New Jersey Office of Smart Growth. Two consultants have been hired to carry out the technical and public outreach portions of the undertaking. They are Phillips Preiss Shapiro Associates, Inc., a planning and real estate consultancy; and Project for Public Spaces, a nationally-renown not-for-profit dedicated to making public spaces that work for people. You can learn more about Project for Public Spaces at www.pps.org.

The Plan is being undertaken at an important time for Keyport, and will provide the public and their representatives with a unique opportunity to shape a number of critical questions about the Borough’s future, such as:

• What will be the future of the Aeromarine property?
• How can public access to the waterfront be expanded and enhanced?
• Will ferry service return to the Borough? If so, how can it best be accommodated?
• How can the downtown better take advantage of the waterfront, and vice versa?
• How can the character of the Borough’s historic areas best be preserved?

As consulting planners, we’ve had the opportunity to work with communities throughout the tri-state region and around the nation as they seek to activate and revitalize their downtowns and waterfronts. We think Keyport’s combination of historic small town character, Bayshore location, maritime history, and compact, walkable downtown represents a unique cluster of assets that few towns can match. As the “outsiders” to Keyport, we’re looking forward to working closely with the residents of Keyport (the “insiders”) to craft a plan that leverages these assets to respond to the community’s aspirations for the future.

You may wonder how your voice can be heard outside of the public meetings and workshops. We would urge you to contact your Mayor and Council Members with questions and comments. Contact the Borough at the following address: jpoling@keyportonline.com . You can also email the entire consulting team directly at the following address: keyportplan@ppsaplanning.com.

We look forward to hearing from you and working with you.

Yours truly,
Ken Bowers
Project Manager
Phillips Preiss Shapiro Associates, Inc.
434 Sixth Avenue
New York, NY 10011