Montclair Township Welcomes New Complete Streets Director

Published on January 16, 2026

Montclair Township is pleased to welcome Jacob Nieman as our new Complete Streets Director. In this role, Jacob will lead efforts to make our streets safer, more accessible, and more welcoming for everyone, whether walking, biking, driving, or using transit. With a strong background in urban planning, public service, and community engagement, Jacob brings both professional expertise and a personal commitment to improving street safety and livability in Montclair.

We asked Jacob a few questions to introduce himself and share his vision for this role.

What drew you to this role and to working on Complete Streets and street safety?

As someone who grew up in a community much different than Montclair, I intuitively understood how limiting it could be to rely on cars to get anywhere and everywhere. As I was exposed to other forms of the built environment—denser, more people-friendly places—the value of streets designed for things other than cars became clear. The places I enjoyed spending time prioritized people, not cars.

My professional focus on street safety was a natural outgrowth of this. As someone who regularly walks, bikes, and drives around town, I see how many near-miss incidents, dangerous interactions, and distracted, uncaring road users are out there. Unfortunately, the regular reports in the news of crashes resulting in serious injuries and deaths made clear the cost of ignoring street safety.

What excites you most about joining our township at this moment?
The Township—and especially the current governing body—has not only listened to residents’ concerns about traffic safety, but taken those concerns seriously and acted on them. The significant investments made through the Vision Zero Task Force, the Safe Streets for All grant, and specific traffic safety measures like speed limit reductions and new stop signs provide a strong foundation on which to build.

At a time when our streets have become one of the scarcest resources in town, the work I’ll be doing is more urgent than ever.

Can you briefly describe your professional background and experience in transportation, planning, or safety?
I hold a degree in urban planning and public policy from the Bloustein School at Rutgers and an MPA in Public Administration from Rutgers–Newark. During my time at Rutgers, I was an Eagleton Graduate Fellow.

I’ve served on the Montclair Planning Board, the Vision Zero Task Force, and Complete Streets Oversight Boards, and on the Board of the Montclair Center BID, where I focused on BID-municipal cooperation, parking, and transportation issues.

How do you define “Complete Streets” in simple terms for residents?
Complete Streets are streets where all people feel safe, welcomed, and accommodated—whether you’re biking, pushing a stroller, using a wheelchair, or walking your dog.

What are your top priorities for improving street safety during your first year?
My biggest priority is building public awareness of the new Complete Streets Policy and how it will be implemented. That means helping residents see streets as public spaces meant for everyone and creating a reinforcing cycle of improvement that builds demand for safer, better street design across the Township.

Why is a Complete Streets approach important for a community like ours?
Montclair’s historic infrastructure, diverse built environment, and close-knit neighborhoods make it a place where people can walk, bike, and take transit with relative ease. Yet, through the Vision Zero Task Force and Complete Streets Oversight Board, many residents expressed that while they want to get around without a car, they don’t always feel safe doing so.

With five business districts, six train stations, numerous bus stops, more than a dozen schools, and many parks all within six square miles, Montclair’s layout reflects its history as a railroad and streetcar suburb. Creating streets that welcome everyone isn’t a radical new idea—it’s a return to Montclair’s roots.

How can residents expect to engage with you or share concerns and ideas?
A key part of my role is supporting the community’s calls for safer streets. I plan to be out in the community, visiting each Ward regularly to hear residents’ concerns firsthand. I’ll also work closely with stakeholders and community groups and want people to feel comfortable emailing or calling me to report issues or share ideas.

What do you enjoy outside of work, and how do you stay connected to the community?
Outside of work, you’ll most likely find me with my nose in a book or biking around town. I stay connected by being part of the community—I live, shop, work, and spend my time in Montclair. I’m also an avid traveler and love building my calendar around opportunities to explore, whether that’s a new passport stamp, a scenic park, or a quick trip somewhere new.

Are there any upcoming initiatives you’re especially excited to work on?
I’m particularly excited about the upcoming demonstration projects and the safety action plan being developed through the Safe Streets for All grant. These efforts will directly engage the community and help embed Complete Streets into the fabric of Montclair’s future.

What message would you like to share with residents as you begin this role?
The idea of Complete Streets is perfectly captured by the title of Montclair’s 2019 plan: Streets Are for Everyone. Whether you’re on two feet or two, three, or four wheels, you deserve to feel welcome and safe on Montclair’s streets.