The Rahway Special Improvement District

About the SID

The Organization

First established in 2009 under Mayor James J. Kennedy, the Rahway Arts District (its original moniker) was organized to promote and enhance the business, educational, civic and cultural life of the Special Improvement District (SID) of Rahway. Over the years, the organization most recently became known as the Rahway Arts & Business Partnership. In July of 2021, the Rahway City Council became the official District Management Corporation for the City of Rahway’s Special Improvement District. Central to the mission of the Rahway SID is to promote the economic well-being of all businesses within the City of Rahway and maintain a strong partnership between arts and business communities.

If you are looking to move into the SID area or if you would like to learn more about the Special Improvement District, please contact us at [email protected].

What We Do
  • Promote, grow and support local businesses, property owners, residents and patrons within the City of Rahway
  • Utilize targeted economic development and marketing initiatives to retain and attract new businesses to the city.
  • Work in conjunction with the City of Rahway and Rahway Redevelopment Agency to enhance the city’s quality of life through programming and development.
  • Create a culturally diverse, vibrant and economically sound community within Rahway.
  • Develop activities and programs that encourage the long­ term success of the arts and business communities.
When We Meet

The Rahway Special Improvement District Meetings are held immediately following the 7PM City Council Meeting in the council chamber located at 1 City Hall Plaza, Rahway, NJ 07065.

Monthly reports concerning the SID are to be submitted to the City Council during its monthly meeting(s) and shall become part of those meetings. Any issues concerning the SID may be discussed at the monthly meeting(s) of the Rahway City Council.

View meeting minutes

SID Committees
Mayor’s Advisory Committee

Appointed by mayor and confirmed by the city council. Terms run through December 31, 2021. Beginning Jan. 1, 2022, three members will be appointed to one-year terms (including the Chamber of Commerce president or designee) and two members to two- and three-year terms, respectively.

Laura Bellevue
Owner of Residential Property in SID

Herve Gaspard
Owner of Gaspard Arts Academy

Peter Kowal
Owner of Butch Kowal’s Tavern

Heidi Loder-Rosal
Owner of Atelier Rosal & President of the Rahway Chamber of Commerce

Rafael Ortiz
Owner of Academy Glass

SID Ad Hoc Committees

Members are selected by the Rahway City Council without need for appointment to address a specific need only and will be called upon periodically to give advice and recommendations to the city council. Terms run through December 31, 2021.

Business Committee

Jeff Spelman
Owner of The Coffee Box

Michelle McTamney
Financial Advisor at Edward Jones

Dawn White
General Manager of Liberty Harley-Davison

Pablo Varona
Owner of Cubanu

Laura Lopez
Owner of Millie and Joy

Arts & Culture Committee

Armanii Saahd-Tann
Owner of Rahway Dance

Nick Rosal
Owner of Atelier Rosal

Joann Gemenden
Rahway Zoning Board of Adjustment

Craig Sumberg
Director of the Union County Performing Arts Center

Pedro De Paz
Local Artist

If you are a Rahway business owner looking for help getting started or promoting your establishment; or, if you are an artist looking to make Rahway your home, please contact us.