Mayor David Del Vecchio: “We want to be one of their considerations”
By Linda Seida, Staff Writer
LAMBERTVILLE — Times are tough, but the city has what it takes to draw in more tourists and pump up the local economy with tourist dollars, according to Mayor David Del Vecchio.
”We want to be one of their considerations,” he said.
Following up on an idea he first mentioned Jan. 1 in his state of the city address, the mayor said he intends to establish a tourism commission or a similar body to spread the word far and wide that Lambertville is a fun and attractive place to visit.
”We have a lot to offer,” he said. “We played a role in history. We have great architecture in town. We have the river. We have one of the best collections of restaurants in New Jersey. We have galleries and shops.”
The idea is strong and the will is there, but the city is still shy on the hard facts. Officials still must investigate ways to finance the establishment of a tourist commission or a similar vehicle to spread the word to tourists looking for a destination.
Mayor Del Vecchio acknowledged the faltering economy might make efforts difficult.
”Obviously, it’s a tough economy,” he said. “People are not doing well. There is less disposable income. It’s not a good time.”
Still, Lambertville isn’t in such a bad state.
”I think we’re doing better than other places, but the question is, how do you put yourself in a better position as a group? The idea being the city has so much to offer.”
The method of financing such a venture is still undecided.
”We’re exploring a vehicle that would allow us to set up a source of funding to brand the city,” he said. “Maybe it’s a tourism commission, maybe it’s not.”
After the preliminary groundwork has been done and the city can determine a source of funding, a public meeting will be held, Mayor Del Vecchio said.
”Once we understand our different options completely, we’ll come up with a concept, have a meeting and go forward,” he said.

