County gets $2.3M in community revitalization funding

Five Chester County communities are now set to receive more than $2.3 million in grants from Chester County’s Community Revitalization Program fund.

The boroughs of Atglen, Honey Brook, Oxford and Spring City and the City of Coatesville have all been approved by the Chester County Commissioners to receive Community Revitalization Program funding to improve and maintain municipal infrastructure.

Since 2002, the Commissioners

have approved more than $70 million in funding for urban center improvements and upgrades, which include Chester County’s 15 boroughs and the City of Coatesville. By leveraging these investments, including water and sewer system upgrades, stormwater management, roadway improvements and streetscaping, the urban centers are able to accommodate future growth and see a rise in home values.

Every borough and the City of Coatesville have realized significant increases in their taxable assessment, with an average increase of just under 20 percent.

Pat Bokovitz, director of the Chester County Department of Community Development said, “The 2020 CRP awards are in all corners of the County and illustrate the diverse nature of infrastructure needs in our towns. Once completed, these construction projects will have long lasting positive impact on these communities.”

This year, the following projects were approved for 2020 CRP funding:

• Borough of Atglen – Ridge Avenue Water Main Replacement, Phase 2: $506,880 for the replacement of the water main along Ridge Avenue between High Street and Israel Mill Road.

• Borough of Honey Brook – North Chestnut Street Curb, Sidewalk and Road Rehabilitation: $139,975 for ADA compliant sidewalks, curbs, storm water improvements and street paving repair.

• Borough of Oxford – Downtown Oxford Access and Pedestrian Safety Improvements: $650,000 to remedy structural roadway problems and pedestrian safety issues along roadways and sidewalks adjacent to the new parking and public transportation center, as well as other amenities in downtown Oxford.

• Borough of Spring City – ADA Compliant Public Parking Improvements: $550,000 for the revitalization of a vacant lot to construct an ADA compliant, terraced parking lot free to the general public.

• City of Coatesville – Train Station Parking Garage: $500,000 towards construction of a 450-space parking garage that will serve regional rail riders for Amtrak and SEPTA users, (SEPTA service is expected to return to the City by 2022).