Phoenixville council approves $302,563 design contract for proposed Bridge and Main square despite parking concerns

Councilmember Berkley moved and Councilmember Weiss seconded a motion on Sept. 9 to award a design-and-engineering contract of $302,563 for the proposed Square at Bridge and Main; the motion passed 6-2.

The proposal would convert an existing 35-space parking lot at Bridge and Main into a permanent public square. Proponents at the meeting said the lot’s use as temporary event space during the Inside Out street closures shows demand for a year‑round downtown gathering place. "Inside Out provides a public space in the downtown for about 60 days of the year. This would create an opportunity 365 days a year," said John McPhee, business manager and co‑owner of Diving Cats Studio gallery on Bridge Street.

The vote capped a lengthy council discussion that mixed economic, legal and access concerns. Councilmember Weiss summarized borough parking data cited during the meeting: since 2017 the borough has added roughly 975 downtown parking spaces; peak weekday parking utilization is about 53 percent; and nearby lots such as the SmithWorks lot and a newer Church Street lot together provide more than the 36 spaces the plan would remove. "The crisis of parking...seems much more about convenience than it is about availability," Weiss said.

Councilmember Moore, who described himself as undecided, pressed staff for details on the $302,563 contract and the larger project cost. Borough staff said the amount covers detailed design and engineering work, including utility coordination (traffic signals, Comcast, Verizon, gas and electric) and substantial stormwater work required by the site’s roughly 36‑inch grade change. Staff explained that producing a fully engineered design is standard practice for Phoenixville before seeking construction grants and that design costs typically count toward grant match. "That is the side benefit of that is we're able to use that as part of the match requirements," a staff member said.

Opponents raised concerns about lost parking revenue, long‑term accessibility and the project’s estimated construction cost. Councilmember Kirchner noted that two accessible (ADA) parking spaces are located in the lot that would be removed and called the $3 million construction estimate and required 20 percent borough match "a lot" for taxpayers. Resident Sally Moritz told council she often finds all 35 spaces in the lot full and worried removing them would push cars into nearby residential streets.

Several residents and business owners urged approval. Zach Hoffman, owner of Bistro on Bridal, said the square would support morning coffee traffic, weekend events and family gatherings. Resident Katie Ortiz and others urged additional handicap parking and shuttle options to address access concerns.

Councilmembers also discussed a legal constraint noted at the meeting: the land’s deed contains a 1986 covenant stating the parcel was conveyed for "open space in the form of land for public recreational purposes." Councilmember Moore read that language aloud during debate; Councilmember Kirchner said the deed language reflected the original merchants’ intent when the property was transferred in 1986.

After public comment and deliberation, the motion to award the design-and-engineering contract carried 6-2. Councilmembers Dugan and Moore voted no.

The contract funds design work only; staff said additional funding would be sought through state and federal grants and that the fully engineered design will strengthen grant applications. No construction funding was approved at the meeting; if built, staff estimated construction at roughly $3 million with a borough match component.

The council discussion included several procedural and policy points: the borough has frequently completed design work before applying for grants to be competitive; removing the lot would eliminate 35 parking spaces; and the deed restriction indicates the land was intended for recreation. Council directed no immediate additional actions beyond awarding the design contract.

The project’s next steps, as described at the meeting, are completion of design and engineering and parallel pursuit of grant funding. Staff did not give a schedule for construction or a firm grant application timeline at the meeting.