Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
COATESVILLE LEADERS DISCUSS REDEVELOPMENT
Plans to restore a Philadelphia train line to the city continue to advance, according to city manager
COATESVILLE >> Efforts to continue the revitalization of Chester County’s only city continue.
On Tuesday, the Coatesville 2nd Century Alliance hosted a community update to stakeholders.
Coatesville 2nd Century Alliance executive director Sonia Huntzinger shared a strategic planning update on the nonprofit’s initiatives for the next five years. The organization’s a mission is to: “drive economic development in the City of Coatesville that enables our business and residential communities to thrive.”
In addition to Huntzinger, speakers during the virtual forum included Joe DiSciullo, chair of the Coatesville ReDevelopment Authority; Tomas Hanna, superintendent of the Coatesville Area School District which encompasses nine municipalities; Vanessa Briggs, president and chief executive officer of the Brandywine Health Foundation; James Logan, Coatesville city manager; and Linda Lavender-Norris, president of Coatesville City Council.
Additional attendees included state Rep. Dan Williams, D-74th, of Sadsbury and Chester County Commissioners Josh Maxwell, vice chair, and Marian Moskowitz, chair.
As Coatesville City manager, Logan shared with participants that momentum continues to move forward with redevelopment, housing and workforce initiatives.
Logan said that the City of Coatesville, in partnership with Morgan Truck Body and the Chester County Economic Development Council’s Hire One Initiative, announced a job fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 10. The job fair shall take place at Coatesville City Hall.
Logan also said the work of local and county advocates are building programs in place to support first-time homeowners in the community.
In terms of inspirational notes of economic development in Coatesville, Logan said there’s been consistent progress on the Coatesville Train Station project in partnership with the ReDevelopment Authority (RDA), Amtrak, PennDOT and other organizations and stakeholders. The bid for construction will go out in June.
Simultaneously the Coatesville parking garage facility is moving forward and has garnered support from the Chester County Commissioners and at the state level.
“Restored SEPTA service to Coatesville, in conjunction with the parking garage will transform our city,” Logan said.
DiSciullo, chair of the Coatesville ReDevelopment Author
ity, reported that the RDA has entered into a development agreement to build the National Sports and Event Center (NSEC) at “the Flats” area.
The Flats pertain to a more than 20-acre parcel at the northwest corner of First Avenue and Lincoln Highway in Coatesville City.
The NSEC project is next advancing on to City Council for review.
Briggs, the president of Brandywine Health Foundation, presented an update on how the nonprofit is adapting to the needs of the community during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which was declared a national emergency more than a year ago on March 13, 2020.
Hanna, the superintendent of Coatesville Area School District, shared an update providing how educational leaders are supporting local students. He said the district’s strategic plans are adapting to the softening of COVID restrictions in Pennsylvania.