Chester, Pa. will receive nearly $100 million in state funding. Gov. Josh Shapiro announced the investment on Thursday.
The money is intended to revitalize the community. Projects will focus on infrastructure, youth programs, redevelopment and public safety.
Shapiro spoke before community leaders, business owners and elected officials. He said he has seen renewed optimism in Chester.
“What I’ve seen over the last year or so is a pride that has reemerged in this community,” Shapiro said.
The funding will be split among nine projects across the city. Shapiro called it a collaboration unlike anything Chester has seen in decades.
The largest share is about $52 million. That money will go toward redesigning Route 291 with a focus on safety improvements.
Another $27 million will support the Waterfront Sportsplex. The project includes building new fields and expanding youth programs with the Philadelphia Union.
About $13 million will improve access between the city and Widener University. It will also fund the renovation of a university building.
The remaining roughly $5 million is earmarked for projects in downtown Chester.
Sister Maggie Gannon of the Access Chester Community Center said the investment could have a significant impact.
“I think it’s going to be a big change agent, because there are good people here but we didn’t have the money to do what needed to be done,” Gannon said.
Mayor Stefan Roots said downtown funding will help address blight. He said the money will also support neighborhood improvements.
“Removing the dangerous blighted properties and prepare those sites for redevelopment. We’re going to be repairing homes. We’re going to be investing in public art and neighborhood beautification,” Roots said.
One targeted property is an old church at West Third and Parker streets. City officials said the building will be demolished and redeveloped.
Other funding has already reached community organizations in Chester. The Boys & Girls Club of Chester received $100,000 to expand its summer camp programming.
“During the summertime, we were going to have about 100 or so kids. With the additional money, we were able to add 50 more kids,” said Derrick Billups, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Chester.
Billups said the funding helped give neighborhood children a safe place to go during the summer.
Additional money is also flowing to anti-violence organizations. Funding is also going to the city’s block captain program.
The investment package is meant to support a wide range of initiatives. Those include transportation, redevelopment, youth programs and community efforts across Chester.
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