The Midtown Urban Renaissance Corporation (MURC) is a 501(c) (3) NJ nonprofit, and is located at 1716 West Lake Avenue at the MURC Information Center. MURC is comprised of President, Dianna A. Harris, other elected officers, and a Board of Trustees (as volunteers) mostly from the Midtown section of Neptune Township. It functions as liaison between this community and the Township of Neptune.

MURC’s mission is to empower the residents of Midtown by enhancing their day-to-day quality of life through neighborhood revitalization, affordable housing, safe streets, education, and employment opportunities. To achieve this goal, MURC will act as liaison between this community and the Township of Neptune, and partner with other nonprofit agencies, businesses, and community based organizations.

Prior to 1970, “West Lake Avenue” had been the economic anchor on this main corridor in the heart of Midtown Neptune, surrounded by moderate-size houses, churches, community schools, and small parks. By the mid’60’s, urban cities across the United States erupted into civil violence. In 1970, this type of violence hit our neighboring city of Asbury Park and spilled into Neptune leaving our community town apart, destroyed, and ultimately deserted for decades.

In 1998, Neptune was inducted into the State’s Neighborhood Empowerment Program under the Urban Coordinating Council (UCC) and administered by the NJ Redevelopment Authority (NJRA). Concerned Midtown residents formed the Midtown Neighborhood Empowerment Council (MNEC).

Three decades (30 years) passed before any serious attention or dialogue ever started about rebuilding this devastated area. Since 1998 officially (and 2 years prior unofficially) the partnering of MURC, the Township of Neptune, and in 2004, CityWorks, have all been working together as a team. Days to weeks to years of grueling planning, meetings, infrastructure discoveries, and administrative filings/paperwork has taken place on behalf of and behind the scenes regarding this project. Periodically, additional presentations and public meetings have taken place in Neptune to update the public.