Written by: Julius Scott & Jennifer Scott |
The Scott Team NJ
Published: October 8, 2026 |
Series: Montclair Development Watch
If you spend much time in downtown Montclair, there is a good chance you have noticed the large, unfinished development site at 59 Church Street.
The project has been highly visible for some time, and naturally, neighbors and visitors have questions about what is happening on-site and what the completed building will eventually mean for downtown Montclair.
Recent Township records show there has been tangible movement behind the scenes.
In September 2026, the Montclair Township Council adopted an ordinance authorizing the assignment and amendment of the project’s financial agreement to 65 Church St Urban Renewal LLC (view the official public records on the Montclair Township Ordinance Adoption Page).
So what exactly is planned for the property?
A 74-Unit Mixed-Use Development in the Core
Township planning documents identify the project at 59 Church Street as a 74-unit mixed-use development:
- Residential Units: 74 proposed apartments/rentals.
- Commercial Retail: Approximately 3,936 square feet of ground-floor retail space, according to the official Montclair Traffic Impact Study.
- Current Status: Listed as active / under construction in municipal filings.
That combination of residential density and street-level commercial storefronts makes the finished property a significant addition to this stretch of downtown Montclair.
Why This Project Matters to Downtown Montclair
A development of this footprint is about more than steel, concrete, and facade work.
Adding 74 residential households directly into the downtown core brings more foot traffic and everyday spending into our walkable business corridors. It can mean steady, year-round patrons walking out their front door to nearby Church Street boutiques, Bloomfield Avenue eateries, independent coffee shops, and local service establishments.
At the same time, longtime residents and business owners naturally have thoughtful questions about how an infill project of this scale affects:
- Parking availability in already competitive municipal decks and surface lots.
- Traffic circulation during peak commuting and school pickup hours.
- Architectural character, scale, and cohesion with Church Street's pedestrian-first charm.
These are essential, ongoing community conversations that accompany smart-growth redevelopment throughout established North Jersey transit hubs.
The Affordable Housing Component
According to Montclair’s current Housing Element and Fair Share Plan, 8 affordable rental units are designated within the 74-unit program at 59 Church Street.
Affordable housing remains a pivotal pillar of municipal policy as Montclair fulfills state-mandated fair share obligations while balancing strong regional demand for market-rate transit-oriented housing.
Ensuring a balanced mix of market-rate and deed-restricted affordable homes will stay front and center as the project moves forward.
What Happens Next?
Township records currently designate 59 Church Street as under construction.
While the September 2026 municipal ordinance assigning the financial agreement to 65 Church St Urban Renewal LLC represents a major administrative and financing milestone, the question on everyone’s mind is straightforward:
Will on-site construction now resume at full speed toward completion?
That is exactly what we will be tracking.
Join the Conversation: What Do You Think?
Downtown development invariably brings diverse perspectives to the table.
Some welcome additional housing inventory and built-in foot traffic for local shop owners and restaurateurs. Others worry about added congestion, school impacts, parking strains, or preserving Montclair’s historic streetscape.
We want to hear from our neighbors:
- Does 59 Church Street feel like a positive, much-needed addition to downtown Montclair?
- Or are parking, traffic congestion, and building density your primary concerns?
Drop your thoughts in the comments below, or chime in on our Instagram post!
Julius + Jen
The Scott Team NJ
@jrsiii + @realtorjenscott
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