Council OKs events despite opposition
Merchants, residents complain about parking, loss of business
PHOENIXVILLE >> It appears two big community events will still be held despite some opposition from a few downtown business owners and residents.
The borough council recently approved the application for the 2017 Food Truck Festival on Saturday, May 6, and Saturday, Oct. 7, from 11 a.m.-6 p.m provided the police fire map is used. It also approved First Fridays 2017 running from May 5 through Oct. 6 from 4-10 p.m.
Prior to the votes, Jessica Capistrant and Michael Polin, representatives from the Phoenixville Regional Chamber of Commerce, told council they had taken steps since the December council meeting to address the concerns of residents and business owners about holding community events on Saturdays.
They said at that time holding events like the Food Truck Festival on a Saturday negatively effects their business and causes parking difficulties for residents who live in the area near the event. They would
prefer events be moved to Sunday when more businesses are closed and there is less foot traffic in the borough.
Another complaint was about First Fridays and the use of Prospect Street when Main Street is closed. Residents have difficulty getting in or out safely during that time.
Capistrant, who serves as president/CEO of the Chamber of Commerce, said the First Friday application has been changed to keep Prospect
Street closed except to local traffic and three fire police officers will be posted at the street entrance to facilitate that.
With the Food Truck Festival, the chamber of commerce surveyed businesses and found 63 percent actually supported holding events on a Saturday.
“We did provide a packet of letters of support,” she said. “Many of those individuals were unable to make to the meeting but did provide a letter of support” and did come to the parks and recreation meeting to express support for keeping the event on Saturday.
Additionally, the chamber’s research has shown moving a food truck festival off of a Saturday makes it less successful because there are fewer people who attend the event. Plus moving events to a Sunday would actually make parking worse, considering how many events would no longer be able to use the parking lots of places of worship, said Capistrant. Also, changing the date 90 days away from the event would cause problems with vendors and marketing. And the borough could lose vendors to other municipalities holding similar events.
The chamber further is open to working with businesses negatively impacted by events or who have other concerns, she said. It will continue to provide shuttle service to the food truck festival to reduce parking problems.
“On behalf of the executive leadership team of the Chamber of Commerce and all of the board members we do support what the chamber is doing and we are in full commitment to a Saturday event,” said Polin, the chamber’s board president. “Hopefully you can see based on the information we have will tell you that it’s worth while.”
He further stated the chamber is always open to suggestions from the community.
Members of council had a mixed reaction to the Chamber of Commerce’s work.
Councilman Jon Ichter II commended the organization for trying to address the concerns.
Council Vice President Dana Dugan and Councilwoman Catherine Doherty took issue with the survey sent to businesses. They felt the information presented was unclear and took issue with the fact that some of the businesses polled were located in Oaks and Limerick, among other neighboring municipalities, instead of just downtown Phoenixville.
Doherty also said while it looked like the matter was settled, in reality it was “far from over.” She had a message for business owners with complaints.
“If you want to have a voice, come to the meeting and have a voice,” she said. “Speak now or stop complaining.”
Council President James Kovaleski disagreed and welcomed feedback from residents and businesses at any time.
“If you have concerns, council and staff is here to listen,” he said.