(From a press release)
Chester County’s urban centers are getting a major boost, thanks to a unanimous vote by the Chester County Commissioners approving $5 million in Community Revitalization Program (CRP) grants for 2025-2026.
The grants, announced at Wednesday’s public meeting, will fund 12 infrastructure and public improvement projects in the county’s 15 boroughs and the City of Coatesville. The goal: to modernize key infrastructure and encourage growth and redevelopment in the county’s downtown communities.
“Our community revitalization grants help ensure that critical infrastructures are maintained and improved,” said Commissioners Chair Josh Maxwell. “Since 2002, Chester County has approved nearly $85 million in CRP grant funding to make our downtown communities better and safer places to live.”
Commissioner Marian Moskowitz emphasized the broader economic benefits. “These grants help urban centers accommodate new growth through water and sewer system upgrades, stormwater management, roadway improvements, and streetscaping,” she said. “That, in turn, increases taxable assessments.”
The 12 grant recipients and their projects include:
-
Spring City – $600,000 for improvements to Boat Launch Park
-
Phoenixville – $550,000 for a solar panel array at the Phoenixville Recreation Center
-
Atglen – $540,000 for pedestrian safety and roadway upgrades downtown
-
Honey Brook – $490,000 for infrastructure improvements on James Street
-
Coatesville – $460,000 for continued flood mitigation efforts
-
West Chester – $425,000 for Phase 2 of safety and accessibility upgrades to the Gay Street Open Air Marketplace
-
West Grove – $425,000 for improvements to Memorial Park
-
Oxford – $395,000 to expand the Niblock Alley redevelopment project
-
Kennett Square – $350,000 to replace the water main on Race Street
-
Avondale – $310,000 for Phase 2 of surveying and mapping of water systems
-
Downingtown – $300,000 for a borough-wide stormwater flood study
-
Parkesburg – $155,000 for road repairs on First Avenue
Commissioner Eric Roe said the funding demonstrates a commitment to long-term community improvement. “These funds give a powerful boost to our urban centers,” Roe said. “Ultimately, it’s the residents who are the real winners, with better infrastructure, public facilities, recreation, and a more climate-friendly community.”
Dolores Colligan, director of the Chester County Department of Community Development, said CRP grants support a wide range of eligible projects—from streetscapes and park improvements to stormwater drainage and utility infrastructure. She noted the county’s recent focus on affordable housing as part of the program’s priorities.
“We now award bonus points in the application process to projects that promote affordable housing infrastructure,” Colligan said, citing examples like sewer upgrades and sidewalk construction.
The Community Revitalization Program is part of Chester County’s ongoing strategy to support its boroughs and Coatesville through smart investments that benefit residents, attract new development, and preserve the character of its urban communities.
Chester County Commissioners Josh Maxwell, Marian Moskowitz, and Eric Roe unanimously approved $5 million in 2025-2026 Community Revitalization Program (CRP) grants at today’s public meeting. The CRP grants will fund 12 projects in urban centers across Chester County.
Chester County Commissioners’ Chair Josh Maxwell said, “Our community revitalization grants help our 15 boroughs and the City of Coatesville ensure that critical infrastructures are maintained and improved, which encourages new development and redevelopment. Since 2002, Chester County has approved nearly $85 million in CRP grant funding that has helped make our downtown communities better and safer places to live.”
“CRP funds are investments in urban centers,” added Chester County Commissioner Marian Moskowitz. “These grants help them accommodate new growth through water and sewer system upgrades, stormwater management, roadway improvements, and streetscaping. That, in turn, creates an increased taxable assessment for the boroughs and Coatesville.”
Chester County’s 2025-2026 Community Revitalization Program grant distributions are:
· $600,000 to the Borough of Spring City for improvements to Boat Launch Park.
· $550,000 to the Borough of Phoenixville for the installation of a solar panel array at Phoenixville Recreation Center.
· $540,000 to the Borough of Atglen for pedestrian safety and roadway improvements to the downtown.
· $490,000 to the Borough of Honey Brook for infrastructure improvements to James Street.
· $460,000 to the City of Coatesville for continued flood mitigation efforts.
· $425,000 to the Borough of West Chester for Phase 2 of safety and accessibility improvements to the Gay Street Open Air Marketplace.
· $425,000 to the Borough of West Grove for improvements to Memorial Park.
· $395,000 to the Borough of Oxford to expand the Niblock Alley redevelopment project.
· $350,000 to the Borough of Kennett Square to replace the water main on Race Street.
· $310,000 to the Borough of Avondale for Phase 2 of surveying and mapping of water systems.
· $300,000 to the Borough of Downingtown for a Comprehensive Borough-wide Stormwater Flood Study to begin flood mitigation work throughout the Borough.
· $155,000 to the Borough of Parkesburg for road repairs to First Avenue.
Chester County Commissioner Eric Roe said, “By being laser-focused on projects that make improvements to communities today and in the future, community revitalization funds give a powerful boost to our urban centers. But ultimately, it’s the residents who are the real winners because they can enjoy better infrastructure, improved public facilities, more recreation opportunities, and a climate-friendly community.”
Dolores Colligan, Director of the Chester County Department of Community Development – the department that administers the CRP funds – noted the several project types that are eligible for CRP funding.
“Activities that support Chester County’s Climate Action Plan are eligible for CRP grant money,” said Colligan, “as well as those that make improvements to streetscapes, parking facilities, parks and trails, and eliminate urban blight. Projects may also be related to sewer and water mains or stormwater drainage.
“More recently, we added bonus points in the application process for any projects submitted by our boroughs and the City of Coatesville that promote affordable housing infrastructure, such as sewer and stormwater improvements, utility hookups, and the construction of streets and sidewalks.”