Chester County Commissioners are paving the way for revitalization throughout local communities by investing almost $3 million into road reconstruction, parking ramps, water mains, sewer lines, landscape and streetscape improvements, and fire protection upgrades.

“Chester County’s VISTA 2025 plan calls for improvements to make the county’s urban centers viable, livable locations,” Commissioner Michelle Kichline said in announcing the latest round of Community Revitalization Program grants. “The county has planned for a bright future, and the CRP grants help to make it a reality.”

Highlighting the list of seven award-worthy projects was:

• $590,000 in Elverson to close a wastewater lagoon and landscape.
• $575,000 in Oxford to upgrade the Wheeler Boulevard streetscape as well as water lines, valves, hydrants and stormwater systems.
• $500,000 in Coatesville to build a two-level parking ramp at the corner of First Avenue and East Diamond Street in support the $20 million Gateway Redevelopment Project.
• $500,000 in Phoenixville to replace water mains.
• $400,000 in West Grove to reconstruct Hillside Avenue, replace a water main and enhance fire protection.
• $250,000 in Honey Brook for White Birch Street infrastructure and a transportation reconstruction project.
• $180,000 in Downingtown for a sanitary relief line along Bradford Avenue to improve service to 242 customers and expand capacity to serve 25 more new homes.

Since the Community Revitalization Program began in 2002, the County has awarded more than $57 million in Community Revitalization Program and Community Development Block Grant program grants to the sixteen urban centers (City of Coatesville and the 15 boroughs) for infrastructure improvements, according to Pat Bokovitz, Director of the Chester County Department of Community Development.

“These funds greatly improve the overall health of communities and provide for growth, as well as spur significant increases in taxable assessments,” board chair Terence Farrell said.

Update: For more information, check out the Daily Local News coverage here.