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Chester council unanimously approves multimillion-dollar streetscape grant application and a package of resolutions
Summary
On May 27, 2026, Chester City Council approved nine resolutions including a potential $3 million MTF streetscape grant application, a tri-party lease to create an environmental center with Delcora, festival and equipment contracts, trail easements, and a fast-food development plan. All measures passed by recorded voice/roll-call.
Chester City Council voted unanimously May 27 to approve a set of resolutions covering infrastructure grants, property agreements and routine procurement.
The council authorized submission of an application to the Commonwealth Financing Authority’s Multimodal Transportation Fund (MTF) for up to $3,000,000 to support streetscape and transportation improvements along Wells Street from Route 291 to 6th Street. Councilman Fred Green called the corridor “an extremely bumpy ride” long overdue for repair; Mayor Stefan Roods cautioned that subsurface concrete work may be required, explaining the size of the request.
Council also approved a tri-party lease among the City of Chester, Delcora, and Ninth Street Youth Community Center to renovate a former Air Park building as an environmental education center. Mayor Roods said Delcora has pledged up to $80,000 in improvements and praised youth leader Baron Lacey and his group for their work.
Other approved items included a contract with Maria Mateus Music Incorporated to provide the 2026 Peace, Love, and Unity festival headliner (not to exceed $20,000); acceptance of an $8,000 proposal for sale of a 2007 Zodiac boat with engine and trailer; an amended Transportation Alternatives reimbursement grant agreement with PennDOT for the Highland Avenue Trail project; inclusion of 742 West Front Street in the LERDA commercial program effective through Dec. 31, 2036; a trail easement agreement to support the Parker Manor segment of the Chester Creek Trail; and Change Order No. 1 with SJ Thomas Company Inc. for roofing work in the amount of $2,516.61.
The council also approved preliminary and/or final plans submitted by Chester Donuts LLC for two fast-food restaurants with drive-thrus and parking at 0 East 4th Street; after the vote the mayor quipped that the city is “getting a Dunkin’ Donuts.”
Votes at a glance - Resolution 62 (MTF grant application, Wells Street): approved (voice/roll-call unanimous) - Resolution 63 (tri-party lease — environmental center; Delcora contribution up to $80,000): approved (unanimous) - Resolution 64 (festival headliner contract, up to $20,000): approved (unanimous) - Resolution 65 (sale of 2007 Zodiac boat to Barry L. Borchers, $8,000): approved (unanimous) - Resolution 66 (Transportation Alternatives grant amendment, Highland Ave. Trail): approved (unanimous) - Resolution 67 (LERDA inclusion, 742 West Front St.): approved (unanimous) - Resolution 68 (trail easement, Parker Manor/Crozer Park Chester Creek Trail): approved (unanimous) - Resolution 69 (change order, SJ Thomas Co., $2,516.61): approved (unanimous) - Resolution 70 (prelim/final plan approval, Chester Donuts LLC — two fast-food restaurants): approved (unanimous)
Why it matters: The MTF grant, if awarded, would fund substantive streetscape and traffic-handling upgrades on a high-traffic corridor. The tri-party lease aims to repurpose an Air Park building into a youth-focused environmental education center with private partner investment, signaling the council’s emphasis on infrastructure and youth programming.
What’s next: The MTF application will proceed to Commonwealth review; the environmental center lease requires execution of agreements and Delcora’s planned capital work. Council did not record any amendments or further conditions during the May 27 votes.
