The new Unity Way designation applies to Tilton Avenue between Drs. James Parker Boulevard and West Sunset Avenue.

Red Bank officials and borough residents plan to gather at 5p tonight for a ceremony designating a block of Tilton Avenue as “Unity Way.”

The long-delayed event, originally scheduled for January, faces atmospheric challenges. The National Weather Service forecast calls for more rain today with possible thunderstorms tonight.

The renaming effort, says Mayor Pasquale Menna, was inspired by a candlelight vigil in December, 2007 after a double shooting at the Montgomery Terrace apartments.

The victims, whom authorities have not publicly identified, survived. The suspected shooter, Anthony Sims Jr., is awaiting trial.

Authorities said at the time of the shooting that an interpersonal dispute led to the gunfire, in which Sims is also alleged to have shot at and missed a third man.

“After the entire community came together on that cold December night in a spirit of unity, I decided to rename the courtyard ‘Unity Way,'” Menna says in a press release about tonight’s event.

“We are appreciative that the Housing Authority has concurred with our action and look forward to gathering once again at that special place to show our solidarity with the families that were affected by the tragedy and, indeed, with all the residents in the neighborhood.

“All of us, striving to work together, will continue the progress which was started at Unity Way.”

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