Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
‘OPEN-AIR MARKETPLACE’
Plans call to open Gay Street up to diners and shoppers
The borough was expected to send revised plans Tuesday to PennDOT, while seeking a permit to close Gay Street between Matlack and Darlington streets to vehicular traffic.
Borough Council voted in June to block the state-controlled street, also known as Route 3, to allow restaurants and shopkeepers to set up in the thoroughfare and facilitate social distancing.
A revised traffic plan and request for a special events permit was scheduled to be sent to the PennDOT central office, the governor’s office and the Federal Highway Safety Administration, which must approve the plans.
Robyn Briggs, PennDOT safety press officer/community relations coordinator, included in a Monday email that the timing of the street closure depends on when the borough returns the forms, the timing of the approval from the state and how fast the borough implements the actual closure.
“Could be within two weeks, but I do not have a definite date,” wrote Briggs about when diners might slice a medium rare steak at a table on the asphalt.
Mayor Dianne Herrin says the goal is to close the street by July 15.
Herrin said the revised forms will reflect the number of people expected block by block, rather than for the entire four blocks as was originally submitted.
“I am very excited we will soon receive PennDOT approval to turn Gay Street into a pedestrian open-air marketplace,” Herrin said. “We will accompany this with strong guidance for business owners so they can enforce mask-wearing, a partnership with our police department so our officers can help remind visitors to engage in safety practices, placement of hand hygiene stations, and signage.
“With these efforts, and the extra space the borough is providing for physical distancing, we will be supporting our small businesses while protecting the people who live, work and shop here.”
Concrete Jersey barriers will block the street, and north/south cross streets will be left open for deliveries and traffic.
PennDOT asked the borough to coordinate with PECO concerning ongoing underground transformer work in the downtown. PECO is currently digging on West Market Street. Work on sidewalks and streets for the transformer project is expected to last until the end of 2021.
Most of the work will be completed during nighttime hours, and the streets will be sealed and passable by pedestrians and vehicles during most daylight hours.
PennDOT also asked that suitable deliveries to stores and restaurants be arranged.
Briggs noted that once the closure is in place, the street will be open to pedestrians around the clock. The borough will monitor the change and make a decision at a later date regarding when Gay Street will reopen again.
The cost to the borough was estimated by a grassroots task force overseeing the project at about $36,000, with $22,000 for barriers, $8,000 for incidentals and $6,000 for contingencies. Since parking spaces will be eliminated, the borough expects that patrons will park in alternative spaces, including the garages.