DOWNTOWN

IMPACT

Exterior view of the Rialto theater with a marquee sign promoting a Sunday in the Park with George show. The street sidewalk has benches and a trash can, with storefront windows reflecting the surroundings.

Downtown Westfield is the reason why so many people call our town home. From decades-old eateries to commercial shopping, it’s a buzzing center of activity with charm and something for everyone. With the closure of the original Rialto theater, “main street” was sorely missing a space for creativity and the arts.

When the Rialto is complete, it will not only build an enriched creative and artistic experience for visitors through performances, programming, classes, events, meetings, and gatherings. It will also reinvigorate Westfield’s landscape and experience.

Economic and social impact studies show that investment in arts and culture creates positive financial and social impact, both locally and nationally. In 2022, Americans for the Arts’ Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6) report found that nonprofit arts and culture organizations and their patrons generated $151.7 billion in economic activity, supported 2.6 million jobs, and provided $101 billion in personal income to residents.

Once opened, community members can expect the Rialto to:

  • Increase visitation and foot traffic

  • Boost spending at local businesses

  • Create job opportunities for artists, performers, and support staff

  • Enrich the community experience of Westfield residents and their neighbors

  • Cement Westfield as a regional destination for creativity, culture, and the arts

Shelley Brindle

“The Rialto has always been the heartbeat of our downtown, and I’m thrilled to support its revitalization, preserving this cherished landmark while reestablishing it as an economic anchor. From high-profile performances to local art exhibits, the Rialto will draw residents, visitors, and workers, boosting our local economy, benefitting all of our businesses, and creating a vibrant hub where arts, culture, and community come together.”

— Shelley Brindle, Mayor of Westfield, NJ

Daniel Taugher

“We’re excited for the new iteration of the historic Rialto as the Center for Creativity, a reimagined arts hub that will drive foot traffic, strengthen our small businesses, and provide residents and visitors with a vibrant calendar of events. Across the country, we’ve seen how thriving arts venues fuel economic vitality, inspire community pride, and attract new energy to downtowns, and the Rialto is poised to do the same here. As Downtown Westfield continues to reinvent itself, this cultural anchor will serve as both an economic driver and a community gathering place for generations to come.”

— Daniel Taugher, Executive Director of Downtown Westfield Corporation