The Downtown Development Commission (DDC) supports Madison's business district in many ways and organizes various promotions including the following events
Taste of Madison
The Taste of Madison 2021 will be held in and around Madison from Thursday, June 3 to Thursday, June 17. Buy a Taste of Madison Passport now - it is a great way to support our local food businesses!
Taste of Madison Passports are being sold at Gary’s Wine & Marketplace, the Taste’s longtime presenting sponsor, for $50.00 each. Passports will also be available online beginning Tuesday, June 1 at TasteofMadisonNJ.org. Passports are available for pickup at Gary’s Madison store only. The purchase of each Taste Passport includes a free $25.00 gift card to Gary’s Wine & Marketplace. Each Passport purchase also includes a starter sheet of Taste Tricky Tray tickets.
Saturday, May 1, 2021 is the town-wide beautification day called May Day in Madison. This event is always held the 1st Saturday in May. Over 800 volunteers help clean up Madison's public spaces.
Madison Farmers Market
Madison Farmers Market scheduled for Thursdays from late May through the fall. New hours - 1 to 6 p.m.
Rose City Summerfest
The Madison Downtown Development Commission is presenting the first ever Rose City Summerfest. This new event will be scheduled for some time in late spring or early summer of 2022.
Bottle Hill Day
Bottle Hill Day is back! It will be will be held on Saturday, October 2, 2021. This event is a festival celebrating our hometown and downtown with over 10,000 in attendance. Click here for event information.
Madison Sidewalk Gallery/Gala & Auction
The Madison Sidewalk Gallery is a collaborative project of the Madison Arts and Culture Alliance (MACA) and the DDC to exhibit original artwork of local artists on banners in the downtown district. This program has been inactive since 2018 and will undergo a full evaluation and reinvention soon.
Standing Committees
In addition to these major events, the DDC has four standing committees that work throughout the year to enhance the Downtown District. The Downtown District includes both the traditional downtown area which principally corresponds to the CBD Zoning Districts and also the additional commercial areas of the Borough of Madison which correspond to the CC and Gateway Zoning Districts, as shown on the Zoning Map of the Borough of Madison.
Arts & Events
Work with Madison Arts and Culture Alliance (MACA), Madison Music and Arts (MMA), Chamber of Commerce and other community Partners on event development and support.
Advise and support the Director of Arts and Events and programming for the Madison Community Arts Center.
Research and make recommendations regarding public art installations.
Research and evaluate the viability of new events.
Marketing & Economic Development
Monitors the Downtown District’s current economic conditions and identify opportunities for market growth.
Develops programs, events, and initiatives working with the Chamber of Commerce to strengthen existing businesses and recruit new ones.
Creates, with consultants as necessary, a comprehensive marketing plan that will be issued to support current and future programs and that will showcase the Downtown and expand the Madison brand.
Public Improvement
Creates plans and projects to improve the streetscape and public spaces in the Downtown District.
Helps to develop financial incentives and strategies for potential rehabilitation projects.
Explores strategies to improve available shopper parking in the Downtown District.
Sign & Facade
Reviews and submits recommendations on all sign permit applications, new or replacement, submitted for commercial uses referred by the Zoning Officer.
Reviews referred Master Signage Plans and submit recommendations to Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment.
Adheres to all regulations put forth in Chapter 195. Land Development, Article V. Zoning, § 195-34. Signs, while conducting all review processes.