The number of unoccupied commercial buildings on Red Bank's main street jumped a whopping 30 percent during the past year, members of the town's legislative body learned Tuesday night.
Red Bank Vice Mayor Monty Millard reported that he and Commissioner Floy Pierce traveled the length of Dayton Boulevard earlier this week.
"We counted 83 vacant buildings," he told town council members during their regular bimonthly meeting.
During a similar tour in December 2008, he said, they saw just 63 commercial buildings that were not occupied.
Since each vacant building represents a significant loss to the town, community leaders should make getting them occupied with new businesses a top priority, he and Commissioner Pierce both said.
Vice Mayor Millard said he has a number of initiatives in mind which he hopes to discuss with other town leaders on January 5, when the council holds its next study session.