New Restaurants, Retail and Development in West Chester
The landscape of West Chester seems to be ever changing. Here is your roundup of the latest developments in the works in and around the borough.
Apartments, Condos and Housing
The Melton Center | East Minor Street If the board of the Melton Center gets their way, a new mixed-income housing development will be coming soon to West Chester. In keeping with their mission to promote the quality of life for all people the Center has set a goal to expand low income housing options in the borough by erecting a 51-unit affordable housing development on their E. Minor campus.
Fundraising for the project is already underway. Mayor Dianne Herrin reports in her Borough Briefs the group is, “entering into a joint partnership with Church Housing Corporation and The NRP Group to create this $14-million mixed-income housing development.”
Town Walk | Church Street Walls are up at the future five luxury carriage homes that will live behind the Claude Raines Manor on Dean and Church Streets. Coming soon, their Zillow listing says.
Former Daily Local property | North Bradford Avenue The plans for this vacant site have been altered dramatically since the original proposal of a 340-unit apartment building was made over a year ago. Hounded by resident protests and traffic concerns, the latest proposal calls for 60 three-bedroom townhouses to be built on the six-acre site. With a proposed price tag of $475,000 per unit.
However to execute on the proposal Toll Brothers will need to receive a variance to the East Bradford Zoning Code. As Township Coordinator Mandie Cantil explained, “In order for the applicant to advance this concept to a more formal application, they need to get input from the Supervisors about some procedural matters.” So, discussions continue next month.
If you’d like to weigh in, the Next East Bradford Township planning meeting is December 11.
The Barclay Center | N. Franklin Street. The Barclay Center is set to rebuild after its devastating fire last year. The new expanded facility will include 60-units for residents and several green building upgrades. The Center reports they are confident the building will meet West Chester Sustainable! Certification requirements.
Government & Nonprofit
Providence Church | Hannum Avenue. The Providence Church (at the former site of the Italian Social club) is expanding to meet the needs of its growing congregation. In addition to the new addition the church will also look at beautifying the site including removing the fence and planting shrubs and shade trees. Construction set to begin in the spring.
Restaurants & Retail
The Mosteller Building | The corner of Church and Gay. If you’ve been downtown recently you’ve undoubtedly noticed that parking is inconveniently blocked on Gay Street. Construction at the Mosteller building (now called 44 West) is finally underway. According to the Downtown West Chester blog the final project will call for “two 59-foot, mixed-use retail and office structures and a 10,000 sq ft plaza with a fountain that will run all year.” The building is expected to be completed by December of 2019. Until then call mercy on street parking and head to a garage.
Still not sure why the development of this particular corner has caused so much discussion? Learn more about its history here.
The Perch | Downingtown Pike The Perch is hoping to fill the down-home breakfast shaped hole left when Mrs. Mikes closed. In a completely renovated building in the exact same location the new owners, will be serving breakfast, lunch, plus a host of baked goods from their on-site seasonal bakery.
As one future fan posted on their Facebook page, “If you have scratch homemade food you are going to print money. We need a real family cafe in West Chester.”
They are aiming for an early December opening.
Not ready to stop reading? Cool. Have you checked out these local Instagram accounts? There’s something for everyone. So good.