BID report paints rosy picture for business in borough

WEST CHESTER » Malcolm Johnstone presented a positive “State of the Business Improvement District” and annual report for 2017, to Borough Council, at last week’s meeting.

Johnstone, BID executive director, said the downtown continues progress for “our livable community.”

As part the BID report’s high-

lights, Johnstone noted that the borough continues, with 600 businesses in the district, to see an increasing and record number of downtown businesses, reduced crime and a “robust” social media outreach.

West Chester continues to be ranked first among the state’s 958 boroughs for numeric population growth, with an increase in population of 1,601, or 8.7 percent, from 18,459 in July 2010 to 20,060 in July 2017.

Forty-four businesses opened in 2017, versus 37 in 2016. Fourteen businesses closed in 2017 as compared to 19 in 2016, with a net increase of downtown businesses of 30 in 2017 versus 18 in 2016.

West Chester saw a 58 percent reduction in crime since 2000, for an all-time low, “thanks to an outstanding police department led by Chief Scott Bohn, with help from the vital local economy,” Johnstone said.

The BID also expanded its online media outreach to 3.5 million computer screens, a 38-percent increase from 2016.

“Marketing these days is a numbers game,” Johnstone said.

With the help of Elle Steinman, communications specialist, the total social media outreach jumped 64 percent since 2016 to 2.9 million. Facebook reached 2.8 million, Instagram reached 65,000 and Twitter reached 53,000.

Johnstone said that the BID’s priority is to promote downtown revitalization.

The total assessed value of benefited properties went from 265 to 264, with a total assessed value rising from $115 million in 2016 to $131 million during 2017.

An indicator of a downtown’s health is often the parking revenue generated, according to Johnstone.

In 2001, net parking revenue was $360,000. Projected revenue for all parking in West Chester for 2017 is expected to top $1.5 million.

Johnstone said that Borough Council is “clearly the downtown’s most valuable partner.”

“As the public sector continues to shrink, it will be the private sector that will pick up more of the investment,” reads a report submitted by Johnstone. “The objective will be to maintain a balance of leadership between elected officials, the community, and downtown stakeholders that govern the activities for the BID.”

Johnstone noted three major BID goals: to increase customer traffic and sales; retain, expand and recruit viable businesses; and advocate for the interests of downtown to government agencies.

The BID was established in 2000 by Borough Council and then through the approval of downtown property and business owners. Every five years, the BID has been reauthorized, most recently through Dec. 31, 2020.

Johnstone was proud to report that the BID received the Great American Main Street Award, the first time a Main Street Award has gone to a Pennsylvania town in nearly 20 years.

Four essential projects will define the BID.

A new downtown information center aims to increase visitorship and outreach as the BID has joined with Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce to relocate to 137 North High Street.

The proposed Eli Kahn Development Plaza Plan for a four-story mixed use structure at the former Mosteller Building site at Gay and Church streets might significantly change the borough.

Zukin Realty Inc. has proposed a 110-room full service hotel at the site of the former Rite-Aid building, at the corner of Gay and Walnut streets.

New directional signage for wayfinding purposed for borough parking garages and attractions is part of the borough’s comprehensive and master plans.