Sayreville readies riverfront restaurant RFP, touts media reach and community outreach

Agency staff reported at the March 12 meeting that the riverfront bar and restaurant request for proposals was distributed to 66 targeted hospitality operators, brokerages and development groups to encourage competitive proposals for the waterfront site.

Staff said one interested party has visited the site and that the RFP outreach will continue; they are preparing a one‑page fact sheet and plan two weekly social‑media posts leading up to the April 24 RFP deadline. "We reached out to 66 different types of organizations and companies," staff said, and noted that one social post had tens of thousands of views in a short period, helping generate regional attention.

Staff also reported other parallel projects: interior work continues at the Bass Pro Shop with an anticipated summer 2026 opening; Quick Chek progress was noted; and Jupiter Power plans to convert the former JCP&L site into a battery-storage facility and will host a public information session at the senior center on March 26 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Separately, staff described a no-cost plan to install downtown trash and recycling receptacles paid for with borough grant funding; the receptacles can incorporate the Sayreville logo. Commissioners asked staff to ensure the agency’s redevelopment pages are linked from the borough website and encouraged commissioners and staff to share agency social posts to broaden reach.

What happens next: staff will continue RFP outreach, host the Jupiter Power public session on March 26, and work with borough web staff to add links to the redevelopment site and boost public access to information.