Chester County approves contract amendments, applies for $4 million in congressional funding for senior housing
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Summary
At its April 8 meeting the Chester County commissioners approved contract amendments and grant amendments across departments and heard two $2 million congressionally directed spending applications to convert 536 Lancaster Ave in Malvern into 60 affordable senior units with veteran preference; multiple grant awards and contract extensions were also approved.
The Chester County Board of Commissioners approved a slate of contract amendments and grant actions during its April 8 meeting, and county staff announced two congressionally directed spending applications that together request $4 million to support an affordable senior housing project in Malvern.
Alfred Schiotti, deputy director of DCIS, asked the board to approve a schedule-only amendment to a PeopleSoft contract with Metaformers Incorporated that would move the completion date from April 4 to April 30, 2026. The board approved consent items and later approved the contracts by voice vote.
The district attorney’s office reported a $92,500 contract with Van Jackson to fund an Overdose Response Strategy Drug Intelligence Officer; staff said this contract is funded by a previously approved grant award.
Jamie Johnson, director of the Department of Drug and Alcohol Services, presented six $5,000 contracts (April 1–June 30) for pre- and post-prom activities at Downingtown High School East, Downingtown High School West, Henderson, Ruston STEM Academy and Westchester East. "This is actually opioid settlement, Commissioner," Johnson said when asked about the funding source.
Pat Bachowitz, Human Services director, described a $100,000 amendment with Pediatric Therapeutics Inc. for early intervention services and contract extensions with Chester County Hospital and Tower Health (Phoenixville Hospital) through Dec. 31, 2026 so providers can draw HealthChoices funds for unfunded service days.
Community Development Director Dolores Colligan said the department submitted two congressionally directed spending applications—one to Sen. Dave McCormick and one to Sen. John Fetterman—each requesting $2,000,000 to redevelop 536 Lancaster Avenue in Malvern (East Whiteland Township) into 60 senior rental units with a veteran preference for households at or below 60% of area median income. Colligan said DCD would act as the pass-through entity if the grants are awarded.
The board also accepted a one-time Pennsylvania Department of Health EMS grant increase of $143,312.74 to buy equipment and supplies for local EMS agencies; a $170,000 PennDOT liquid fuels amendment to support geotechnical investigation for County Bridge 198 (100% federal funded); a $65,000 DCNR grant to create a countywide tree canopy plan (the planning commission will provide a $65,000 in-kind match); and a $499,970 award for a MAT enhancement initiative at the county prison to expand medication-assisted treatment and reentry support.
Chris Pawlowski from adult probation said the intermediate punishment program received a renewal award for $499,994 for the July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026 term after a delay caused by the state budget impasse.
All grants and contracts presented at the meeting were approved by voice vote.
The board did not specify timelines for the congressional funding decisions; Colligan said the applications would be acted on by the respective senators and, if awarded, DCD would administer the grant funds.
