Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Widener Student Housing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Zoning board approves Widener University’s conversion of Best Western to student housing
Summary
The Zoning Hearing Board granted Widener University’s request to convert the former Best Western at Providence Avenue into student housing (Providence Hall), agreeing the use closely resembles a hotel and that parking demand can be met by nearby lots. The mayor voiced support for stronger city–university ties.
The Chester City Zoning Hearing Board approved Widener University’s appeal to change the use of the Best Western hotel at 1420 Providence Avenue to student housing, a project Widener plans to call Providence Hall.
Counsel Rocco Imperatris and Katie Hershey, identified as Widener’s vice president for strategic initiatives and chief of staff, told the board the university has an agreement of sale and plans only minimal interior changes — removing some built-in closets, adding wardrobes, removing three whirlpool tubs and replacing finishes — and will not add kitchens to the majority of rooms. Hershey said Widener expects to house about 120 students (primarily sophomores and above) and that the building requires deferred maintenance that the university intends to address.
John Cacciola, president of Aegis Property Group and a retained project manager, testified the proposal includes no significant exterior changes other than a potential sign; he presented a parking analysis that used the zoning code’s student-housing factors to calculate a demand of about 42 parking spaces and identified roughly 428 available spaces across five nearby lots, including about 100 spaces adjacent to the building. Cacciola said the student-housing use would require less modification to the building than converting it to apartments or other permitted uses and would bring an ongoing institutional presence to address deferred maintenance.
Stefan Roots, who identified himself as mayor, spoke in favor of the conversion and described a broader city strategy to connect Widener and downtown Chester in a corridor aimed at attracting students and investment.
A board member moved to approve the variance to permit student housing in the C2/R district; the motion was seconded and the board approved the application with no recorded opposition. The board said it will issue a written decision within 45 days.
