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Residents contest street closure plan and criticize RDA, lament city-funded Penn Market renovations
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Summary
Public commenters warned that summer closure of North George Street would cut parking access for downtown businesses and criticized the RDA and historic-review processes for using taxpayer funds on Penn Street Farmers Market renovations and intervening in private property sales.
During public comment on Feb. 3 several York City residents raised concerns about downtown access, property ownership by the Redevelopment Authority (RDA), and planned renovations at the Penn Street Farmers Market.
Marilyn Hake, a York City resident, asked the council not to close North George Street from Philadelphia to North Street during the summer, saying the closure would cut off parking used by nearby businesses including Revs, the York Elks Lodge and Liquid Hero. Hake suggested limiting closures to Gas Alley to preserve parking access while still allowing outdoor dining on the asphalt.
Todd Clay, a South Newberry Street resident, criticized the RDA for buying and holding private property, arguing that taxpayers should not be used as an 'interim investor' or the buyer of last resort. He questioned how many properties the RDA holds, whether they are commercial or residential, and urged the council to consider eliminating the RDA. Clay also raised concerns about the Penn Street Farmers Market renovation, listing planned improvements that city materials describe — new electric, plumbing, heating, cooking hoods and ventilation, accessibility upgrades, exterior repairs, doors and windows replacement, security/fire-alarm work and sprinklers — and asked why vendor ownership has changed and why taxpayers are paying for the upgrades.
City staff and council did not take a formal vote on street closures during the Feb. 3 meeting; Clay requested more transparency about RDA holdings and how vendor spaces will be allocated going forward. The transcript records public comment but does not record administrative confirmation about how vendor tenancy will be handled or whether the RDA will change its property-holding practices.
