Chester reviews FY2025–29 consolidated plan; $100,000 proposed for parks

The City of Chester deliberative meeting on May 27 reviewed the fiscal year 2025–2029 consolidated plan and the FY2025 annual action plan, documents that set proposed Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) allocations and related priorities for the coming year.

City staff told council the draft plan includes a $100,000 line for park and recreation facilities that could pay for playground equipment, ADA improvements, paving, lighting, fencing, seating, demolition and grading, engineering plans and other site work. A city staff member summarized the eligible uses as “the continuation of improvements to city owned parks, playgrounds, recreation facilities, and areas of play,” and noted the $100,000 would likely require other matching funds to cover larger projects.

Why it matters: the consolidated plan directs federal CDBG funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and affects which parks, nonprofits and housing projects in Chester receive city-supported grants.

Council members and staff discussed several specific proposals listed in the draft. Sun Village Park is listed for playground equipment, curb and sidewalk work and ADA compliance. The Crozer Park Trail has been put out to bid and is planned to include state funding and a match from Delco Greenway. Staff said some projects on the list are already paired with other funding streams, including the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR).

Council members questioned whether money could be spent on Chester Park improvements, including renovation of the park’s stage and repairs to a barn structure used for city operations. Staff cautioned that CDBG funds must benefit the general public and cited limits on using the dollars for internal government facilities unless the work provides public access or ADA improvements.

The draft also lists nonprofit and housing support. The Boys & Girls Club appears twice in the draft: once under after‑school programming (roughly $58,000) and separately under public facilities for restroom renovation (about $10,000). Staff clarified the city owns the building used by the Boys & Girls Club, which is why the facility request appears under the public‑facilities category.

SilverCare Senior Housing was discussed; staff said phase 1 was financed with $400,000 of the developer’s own funds and will create 94 units intended for low‑income seniors. Council members also referenced a single‑family affordable housing initiative (identified in the draft as Grace Manor) and noted new funders on the list, including the Foundation for Delaware County and Chester Eastside, alongside recurring grantees such as Making a Change.

A city staff member credited Joanne (city staff) with longstanding administration of the CDBG program, noting the program requires strict compliance to retain HUD funding.

Resolution 68—listed on the agenda as “authorize approval of the fiscal year 2025–2029 consolidated plan and fiscal year 2025 annual action plan”—appeared for final passage on the agenda, but no vote or final outcome on the resolution is recorded in the meeting transcript.

Council members and staff did not record a final roll‑call vote in the available transcript; any formal action or HUD submission would be reflected in later minutes or in a recorded vote at a subsequent meeting.