CHESTER, P.A. (KYW Newsradio) — Chester City is getting tens of millions of dollars in a public-private partnership that officials hope will erase decades of decline and jump start a new beginning.
Mayor Stefan Roots said the new investment comes as many people believe Chester’s best days are behind the city.
“What they don't know is Chester cannot be counted out. Chester will not be ignored,” he said.
Roots has worked with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro over the past two-plus years on what he said are not just projects on a list, but actual steps to improve the lives of residents and to encourage private investment.
Shapiro said the nearly $100 million in both state and private funds — including Wawa, Widener University, and the Philadelphia Union — will start immediately to remove blighted properties and build pad-ready sites, rebuild sidewalks, improve and connect the waterfront to the city, and enhance community and anti-violence programs.
“What I’ve seen over the last year or so is a pride that has re-emerged in this community, a sense of togetherness,” said Shapiro.
Wawa CEO Chris Geysens celebrated the collaboration and acknowledged the company’s Delaware County roots as part of why it wanted to be involved.
“We were born right up the street in Delco,” he said. “So we know that strong communities are built, they're made, they're transformed when government, when business, when local organizations come together to serve the people.”
The governor and mayor acknowledged Chester has a long road ahead as its bankruptcy proceedings continue, but they said this investment is separate.
“They represent a better quality of life for Chester residents,” said Roots. “This historic investment moves us toward what I call Chester 2.0.”
