Red Bank: There's an App for That

Now you can have Red Bank all in the palm of your hand.

A new iPhone app created for Red Bank RiverCenter and released earlier this week provides visitors with everything they need to know when it comes to navigating the hip (tech-savvy) city. The app includes a complete directory of businesses and restaurants, a calendar of local events, and even updated news from various local media outlets, including Patch.

Created by local developer Steven Sickles, the free app is being touted as the Red Bank tourism and reference app. It even incorporates Google mapping software and a compass that can direct users anywhere they want to go.

When Sickles presented RiverCenter with the chance to have their own, Red Bank-specific tourism app, they seized the opportunity. In a world with a population increasingly dependent on technology, the chance to market the downtown simply by sitting in someone’s pocket was too good to pass up.

James Scavone, RiverCenter’s director of operations, said the app also gives Red Bank a step up in the fight to attract visitors.

“There’s a lot of competition out there,” he said. “Anyway that we can get Red Bank out there to people with smart phones and iPads, it’s kind of where we need to be. So many people are using that kind of technology and getting our name out there is important.”

In all, it took just a few months for the app to go from initial planning to complete. The application was submitted to Apple for approval and earned it late Friday. Release came just three days later.

Though the app is loaded with useful tools, more features are expected to come shortly. Scavone said RiverCenter is working with local businesses to set up a Red Bank deals section, similar to Groupon and Patch’s Deal of the Day. Once business owners get on board the process will progress.

“It, surprisingly, was a very fast process, taking a few months. He (Sickles) worked with our website designed to share the directory,” he said. “And, with the calendar we definitely have the capability to keep it updated and current.”

RiverCenter Executive Director Nancy Adams said she’s pleased with what the app offers. While the RiverCenter is waiting on stationary kiosks, which will provide information and directions, to arrive and be installed, she said the ability to have what is essentially a mobile kiosk in everyone’s hand is a great benefit.

“I think it’s pretty cool, actually,” she said. “It’s yet another tool that enables us to market Red Bank.”

The application is currently for Apple devices only, though Adams said RiverCenter is interested in developing one for Android devices. To download the Red Bank app simply search “Only One Red Bank” in the app store, or click here to view screenshots of the app in action.