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Chester launches block-captain program and extends Grace Manor homeowner survey with incentives
Summary
City announced 35 inaugural block captains, a schedule of cleanup events and an extension of a Grace Manor neighborhood survey with $10 Walmart gift-card incentives to elicit homeowner priorities for planned improvements.
City staff and community volunteers reported progress on neighborhood engagement during the June 25 Chester City Council meeting, including the formal launch of a block-captain program and an extension of the community survey for the Grace Manor redevelopment area.
Block-captain program: Michael Williams presented the program’s first roster of 35 captains representing homeowners, renters and long-time residents. Williams said captains will serve as a single point of contact between neighborhoods and city hall, help schedule and promote cleanup events, and coordinate resident concerns such as clogged drains or fallen trees. The program’s initial activities include targeted cleanups in Holy City (alleyways and related areas) and Highland Gardens; volunteers and event details are being posted to the City of Chester app.
Grace Manor survey and homeowner incentives: Amanda Johnson said the city is extending a survey for residents of the Grace Manor area (defined in the meeting as roughly Booth Street to Ward Street, and Fourth to Ninth streets). The city is offering $10 Walmart gift cards to residents who complete the survey; Johnson emphasized the city cannot proceed with specific homeowner-improvement projects for the Grace Manor area until it has adequate resident responses to determine priorities (facade work, interior improvements, etc.). Staff provided a contact phone number (610-447-7793) and asked residents in the defined area to pick up or return survey forms at City Hall.
Council members praised the volunteer turnout and encouraged neighbors to engage with block captains as a way to streamline communications and neighborhood problem reporting.
