Ah, downtown Montclair, NJ. A suburban oasis peppered with shops, eateries, and artwork all at your fingertips. While many residents bask in this pleasurable promenade, most have never considered how much work went into its planning. Allow me to let you in on a little secret known as streetscapes…
Have you ever considered the width of the sidewalk you walk on? The position of street garbage cans? The amount of windows along storefronts? Yep, all of that is part of the streetscape. Beautiful downtowns don’t just happen; they are pondered, planned, and produced.
As president of the Business Improvement District (BID) of Montclair, I am attuned to the ins and outs of streetscaping, as well as how these developments benefit our town. I became involved with the BID when I realized how important it is to the well-being of residents to have a vibrant downtown. How a “livable” and “walkable” business area is such a great amenity. When people are considering buying a home in Montclair, the second-most mentioned item, after the schools, is the 6 wonderful business districts.
I have just returned from the National Main Street Conference in Milwaukee and I recognize even more how important it is to have equal parts enticing and enriching downtown. I personally love not only the stores and restaurants, but the different events Montclair offers. The Farmers Market, Art Walk, Jazz Festival, Film Festival are just a few of the goings-on around town every year. What’s your favorite thing about Montclair’s bustling downtown? Share in the comment section below!
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