Hello, West Chester,
It’s Friday, November 30, the day of the 39th annual West Chester Christmas Parade. Here’s what people are talking about this week:
The missing professor. West Chester University math professor Tom Short went missing on his way to visit family for Thanksgiving, reports Patch. The professor’s car and luggage was found at the hotel where he was staying but he never collected his room key.
The Borough’s housing problem. The Melton Center has submitted a proposal to erect a 51-unit affordable housing complex on its property. The proposal includes ten townhouses and a four-story apartment building with various unit sizes. The Center is raising money for the project independently but the proposal was presented to Borough Council this week in hopes of receiving a vote of support. Providing housing options for residents of all income levels is a growing challenge for the Borough. Mayor Herrin writes in her November Borough Briefs, “I have received calls from distressed residents forced to leave West Chester due to rising rents and housing prices.” You can read more about the project here.
The Christmas Parade. The holiday season is about to kick off with the annual QVC West Chester Christmas parade and tree lighting. The parade has in recent years has garnered crowds in the tens of thousands (odds makers are predicting 45,000 for tonight). If you are going, get there early; parking can be a challenge. If you are not, stay far away. Find a full list of events here. Plus, scroll down for your free hot chocolate guide.
A reprieve for a local university. Cheyney University’s accreditation has been extended by a year, giving the University more time to implement its turnaround plan and show it can still serve students of the commonwealth. This is the final extension available to Cheyney which has been on probation since 2015.
Who’s getting the donuts? Duck Donuts, a popular Outer banks-based chain, is opens its first Chester County location this weekend at the Shoppes at Dilworthtown Crossing. Is it just me or do all these specialty chains seem to come in multiples?
The freakin’ weekend. The library is getting ready for its annual holiday home tour on Saturday. This year the tour will feature nine beautiful homes from the 19th and 20th centuries as well as the Chester County Art Association and the Antique Ice Tool Museum. Bundle up and get your rare glimpse of life inside West Chester. Then on Sunday join in on the 40th anniversary of Brian’s Run one of West Chester’s premiere races. You can find complete details on this year’s race here.
Get involved. West Chester Borough Council and friends have scheduled a Special Meeting on Tuesday, December 4th to review the draft ordinance of a Planned University Campus District. Have ongoing concerns about traffic, parking or noise issues created by the University? This is probably the time to raise them.
West Chester is accepting applications for board and commission appointments including Park & Rec, Library and Sustainability committees. Find a complete listing and instructions on how to apply on the Borough website.
Plus, more organizations looking for volunteers and donations this holiday season –>
Guide to Free Hot Chocolate:
Heading to the Christmas parade tonight? Before you grab your final resting spot, stop by any of these businesses for a tasty hot beverage:
- Key Financial tent at High and Gay Streets
- BB&T Bank
- Univest Bank
- the Painted Plate
- Elevate Hair Salon
- Clutch Boutique
Still feel like your missing something? Check out last week’s Roundup and breakout your best holiday gear, Santa Claus is coming to town.