Institute for Economic Development Riverfront Alliance of Delaware County

Housing & neighborhood revitalizationin partnership with the chester community improvement project (ccip), radc has been working on a middle-income neighborhood strategy to stabilize key areas with higher-than-average homeownership units. Using funds from the foundation for Delaware county, td bank charitable foundation, wsfs bank through the neighborhood assistance program (nap) and caesar's foundation, exterior improvements and camera installation have been completed on 33 homes in the nova vista and irvington hills neighborhoods. This initiative complemented the construction of new homes at arbor estates located within the nova vista neighborhood.since the inception of the program, radc recently added new neighborhoods including 9th & central avenue on the west end of chester. Homeowners residing in the mlk homes on west 7th street received facade improvements and security lighting and cameras. The newest target area is the 2800-3000 blocks of west 7th street directly across the street from the new housing proposed as part of the grace manor affordable housing Development.

Public safetyradc continues to use funds for adding security cameras, lighting and improved streetscapes in high crimes areas. Radc assisted one of the businesses in the central business district by purchasing and installing several security lights and cameras across the street from a bus stop which had been the site of criminal activity.

Economic developmentwest 2nd street (route 291) improvements - chester waterfront trail:radc was awarded regional trails funds through the Delaware valley regional planning commission for engineering design work on west 2nd street from highland avenue to norris street. The philadelphia union, through its keystone sports and entertainment entity, has provided the required 20% in matching funds. Radc issued a request for proposals and awarded the project to mcmahon associates now known as bowman engineering. The engineering is well underway with bowman working with penndot on meeting the requirements needed to obtain a highway occupancy permit. Radc has been awarded a total of $1,250,000 in waterfront Development tax credits from the commonwealth for west 2nd street that have been purchased by one of our members, power home remodeling group. The improvements, when fully funded, will enhance pedestrian safety, create a multiuse path connected to the east coast greenway, install landscaping, and address stormwater management. East coast greenway - connector streets:radc, in collaboration with the Pennsylvania environmental council and the east coast greenway Alliance, have been involved in the design of the highland avenue connector with an engineering firm. Design funds, from the department of conservation and natural resources (dcnr) and the department of environmental protection's coastal zone management (czm) program, have also been awarded for the norris street connector trail on the eastern end of the target area. Once constructed, the highland and norris connectors will enable residents to safely access the high quality but disconnected chester riverwalk, subaru park stadium as well as the Delaware river itself.radc also completed the grant application on behalf of the city of chester for federal funding for the construction of a complete streets project on highland avenue. This initiative was one of 10 projects in the philadelphia region awarded funding which will include the Development of the east coast greenway and other pedestrian improvements. Design work is about 90% complete and is expected to be bid out in the second quarter of 2025.radc completed a grant application on behalf of the city of chester for norris street. This application was awarded federal transportation alternative set aside funding in the amount of $1.3 million. The design of this connector street is about 70% complete and is being funded with grants from dcnr and the czm program.reaney street:reaney street serves as the main entrance to subaru park stadium. Lacking continuous sidewalks and an ada compliant crosswalk, pedestrian access is difficult and unsafe. With little landscaping and insufficient lighting, this bleak industrial roadway has been transformed into one of the most attractive streetscapes in Delaware county. This section of reaney street is now substantially complete with a celebration event held in mid-november. Improvements include new curbs, sidewalks, stormwater management and landscaping. With pedestrian scale lighting, string lighting, decorative bollards and paving, and a raised intersection for traffic calming, it is a welcoming connection to the chester waterfront. Additional paving and relocation of utility and communication lines have yet to be completed, awaiting rail line permitting before work can commence. At the intersection of route 291 and reaney street, safety lighting was approved by penndot and installed. The flashing beacons will increase connectivity from chester's residential neighborhood to the waterfront by slowing down vehicular traffic and allowing pedestrian access. It is designed to be upgraded to a full signal if needed in the future. Reaney street complements and builds on the previous streetscape work completed by radc on engle street. With funding from the private sector in the form of waterfront Development tax credits (purchased by radc member power home remodeling), american rescue plan act assistance from the city of chester, department of community and Economic Development (dced), county liquid fuel funds and support from the philadelphia union, this $1.4 million project is a public private partnership. The work would not have been completed without these partnerships.in addition to the streetscape, the philadelphia union is now investing in one of its properties on reaney street. This underutilized building has been renovated into a brew hall following a $2 million private investment, adding another amenity to the waterfront and increasing tax ratables for the city of chester. Waterfront programming, community workdays & events:in the spring of 2024, radc in conjunction with local community-based partners, as well as the partnership for the Delaware estuary (pde), planned its second Delaware river festival. This festival has been held in philadelphia and camden for a number of years and pde wanted to expand it to chester. Radc played a large role in organizing and raising funds for the event that was held at the subaru park stadium plaza. While the event had an environmental focus, it also included food trucks, local dance troupe performances and a d.j.