Chester council approves multiple development, trail and grant actions; HUD lead-remediation application authorized

Chester City Council on an August meeting approved a bundle of resolutions clearing several development plans, grant agreements and a contract amendment and authorized a HUD grant application to address lead hazards.

The council voted unanimously to grant preliminary and/or final land‑development approval to SilverCare Senior Housing for a senior assisted living facility at 2500 West Ninth Street; to Liberty Housing Development Corporation for a mixed‑use project at 1100–1130 Morton Avenue; and to 742 West Front Street LLC for a mixed‑use development at 742 West Front Street. Councilors also approved an amendment to an ARPA‑funded façade improvement contract with LSNCMNE, LLC that withdraws work on 531–533 Avenue of the States and reduces the contract by $95,060.80 to a new total of $142,885.39.

In separate actions, the council accepted $1,300,000 in Transportation Alternatives set‑aside funding from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for the Norris Street Trail and Streetscape Project and authorized the city to enter a reimbursement grant agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. The council also authorized an agreement with Consolidated Rail Corporation (Conrail) to permit construction of a multi‑use trail that crosses a Conrail freight line between Second Street and the Chester Riverfront Trail, and it designated City Chief of Staff Thomas Moore (or Public Works Director Andrew Hayman) to execute related documents.

On federal housing and health matters, the council authorized submission of an application to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for a Lehigh (transcript: “Lehi”) Hazard Reduction Grant to assess and remediate lead hazards in homes in an amount not to exceed $4,400,000 with a 10% local match requirement. The resolution names Mayor Stefan Rootes (transcript uses "Root/Roots/Ruth" inconsistently; recorded as "Mayor Rootes/Mayor Ruth" in roll calls) or his designee to execute the application.

Votes at a glance: all items listed below were approved by roll call votes recorded as “Yes” by Councilors Gibson Williams, Green, West, Davis and Mayor (recorded in the minutes as Mayor Ruth/Root/Rootes). Each vote was recorded as unanimous (5–0 where five members voted).

- Handicap parking zones: Resolution creating handicap parking designations for nine addresses in Chester (listed in resolution text). Passed unanimously. - ARPA facade amendment (LSNCMNE, LLC): Amendment withdrawing 531–533 Avenue of the States and reducing the contract price by $95,060.80 (new contract $142,885.39). Passed unanimously. Resolution referenced previous action 76‑2025. - Norris Street Trail grant acceptance: Acceptance of $1,300,000 Transportation Alternatives set‑aside and authorization to execute a reimbursement grant agreement with PennDOT. Passed unanimously. - Conrail agreement: Authorization to enter into agreement with Consolidated Rail Corporation to allow construction that crosses Conrail freight line for the Norris Street multi‑use trail. Passed unanimously. - HUD Lehigh/Lehi Hazard Reduction Grant authorization: Authorization to submit a HUD application up to $4,400,000 with 10% match and to have the mayor or designee execute documents. Passed unanimously. - SilverCare Senior Housing: Preliminary and/or final approval for master land development plan for assisted living facility at 2500 West Ninth Street. Passed unanimously. - Liberty Housing Development Corporation: Preliminary and/or final approval for subdivision and land development plan for mixed‑use development at 1100–1130 Morton Avenue; developer told council the project still needs final funding and expects to break ground within about a year. Passed unanimously. - 742 West Front Street LLC: Preliminary and/or final approval for mixed‑use project at 742 West Front Street (about 57,000 sq ft warehouse, office, training center and loading docks). Passed unanimously. Councilors discussed fencing and anticipated safety improvements for adjacent streets.

Why it matters: The package combines downtown façade work, several major development approvals and active transportation investments including a new trail connection that will require crossing a rail line. The HUD application — if funded — would provide an expanded lead‑hazard remediation program for Chester homes at a scale the council said could reach several million dollars and would require a 10% local match.

Councilors asked questions during the presentations about project locations, timing and safety measures for children near redevelopment sites. Planning and zoning director Paul Fritz said Liberty Housing and the 742 West Front project were “fast track” projects anticipating breaking ground within a year pending final approvals and funding. The PennDOT grant item and Conrail agreement were presented by staff who said Thomas Moore or Andrew Hayman would sign documents for the city.

What’s next: The HUD application will be submitted by the mayor or his designee; awards and specific terms would determine the schedule for home assessments and remediation work. Several developers said they expect to begin construction within about a year if financing is finalized; the city authorized staff to execute grant and railroad crossing documents as required.

Sources: City staff presentations and council roll calls during the Council meeting.