For Immediate Release March 9, 2023
Borough of Kennett Square Monthly Newsletter March 9, 2023

Chester County Trails Master Plan Public Meeting
Do you want to help determine the best places for new trails and trail connections in #ChesCo? @CCPlanning will host the first Public Meeting about the Chester County Trails Master Plan on 3/14  at the East Whiteland Township Municipal Building and via Zoom from 7 – 8:30 p.m. Learn more and register:  
https://www.chescoplanning.org/transportation/TrailsMasterPlan.cfm.  

Borough of Kennett Square News, Updates & Upcoming Events

Click Here for the Municipal Parking Garage Update

For Immediate Release: January 17, 2023
Borough of Kennett Square News, Updates & Upcoming Events

The Borough is seeking an individual and/or company to evaluate and market approximately 40,000 square feet of remnant space available at Borough Hall.  This individual or company will provide recommendations to sell or lease the vacant space and manage the leasing and/or sale process.  In addition to marketing the property for sale and/or rent, the Borough is seeking the individual and/or company to oversee rent collection, default management, maintenance management, vendor management, long-term capital improvement planning, and facilities management of Borough Hall.  The RFP is due Monday, January 30^th, 2023, by 4:00pm.

UPDATE - Monday January 9, 2023 - Borough Hall phone service is back in order. Thank you for your patience!
Monday, January 9, 2023 - Borough Hall is experiencing a phone outage. Please be patient as Verizon works to fix the problem. The Borough office is open today normal hours, 8:30am-4:30pm. We will keep you updated.
Thank you!

For Immediate Release: December 16, 2022
Borough of Kennett Square Issues Requests for Proposals to Market & Manage Borough Property
RFP for Borough Property Listing Agent
RFP for Borough Property Management Services

For Immediate Release: December 9, 2022
Borough of Kennett Square News, Updates & Upcoming Events

For Immediate Release: December 8, 2022
Quarterly Newsletter Winter 2022
Borough personnel will be distributing its quarterly newsletter to residents and businesses over the next several weeks

For Immediate Release: December 7, 2022
The South end of Marshall Street will be CLOSED tomorrow morning, Thursday, December 8, 2022 at 7:00 a.m. to trim the tree at the corner of Marshall and Mulberry Streets.
Thank you for your patience while this project is being completed.

For Immediate Release: December 1, 2022
Milling and Paving on W. South Street Begins Monday, December 5, 2022 at 7:00 a.m.
Milling and Paving on West South Street from the "S" turn to South Mill Mushroom will begin on Monday, December 5, 2022 at 7:00 a.m. and will be completed by Wednesday afternoon (weather dependent). Only one lane will be closed. Thank you for your patience while this project is being completed.

For Immediate Release: November 8, 2022

 Borough of Kennett Square Notifications & Upcoming Events

Friday, November 11^th is Veterans Day.  The Borough expresses its appreciation and gratitude to all those who have served and protected our nation. 

The Borough would like to notify the public of several upcoming events.

On Monday, November 14^th at 6:00pm, a budget workshop for the public will be held at Borough Hall (600 S. Broad Street).  Residents will have the opportunity to engage with Borough department heads and ask any questions pertaining to the proposed 2023 budget.  For residents who cannot attend, the proposed budget is posted on the Borough’s website.  Residents can submit any thoughts or comments regarding the budget to budgetcomment@kennettsq.org. 

On Tuesday November 15^th at 6:00pm, a 50^th Anniversary Memorial to honor Police Officers Richard J. Posey and William W. Davis will be held at the 100 block of E. Linden Street (between the garage entrance and N. Broad Street).  On November 15^th 1972, Officers Posey and Davis were tragically killed in the line of duty while serving the Borough.  The 100 block of E. Linden Street (between garage entrance and N. Broad Street) will be closed from 4pm-7pm.

On Thursday, November 17th, at 6:30pm, Kennett Collaborative will hold its next How We Build Matters Speaker Series event at the Presbyterian Church of Kennett Square (211 S. Broad St.). Urban designer and author Thomas Dougherty will explain the art and science of human scale and share a vision for the potential of human-scaled infill development along Kennett Square’s alleys and innerblock spaces. Individuals can RSVP here and read more here.

On Saturday, November 19^th at 4:00pm, the American Legion Post 491 will host a rededication of the World War I Monument at Mary D. Lang School at Center and Mulberry Streets.  The ceremony will include a wreath laying and 21-gun salute.  Residents who hear the 21-gun salute should not be alarmed.  Center Street (between Mulberry Street and W. Cedar Street) will be closed from 3pm-5pm.

On Friday, November 25th, at 6:15pm, the annual Kennett Square Holiday Light Parade and Tree Lighting will usher in the holiday season with music and dance troupes, community groups, and an assortment of vehicles festooned with lights. Please note that, in order to avoid traffic congestion, the parade will follow a new route this year. The parade will begin at the intersection of South Broad and East Cypress Streets, heading north onto State Street and then west along State Street to Center Street.  There will be applicable street closures to accommodate this event.

The public is welcome to attend any of these events.  More details regarding these events can be found on the Borough’s website under the “Calendar & Events” tab.  Residents are encouraged to periodically check the Borough website as community events are regularly posted.       

For Immediate Release: October 31, 2022

Borough of Kennett Square Notification
Zoning Hearing Board Seeking New Member to Serve

The Borough of Kennett Square currently has openings on the Zoning Hearing Board (ZHB) and is seeking individuals who are interested in serving their community as a ZHB member. 

The ZHB reviews requests in which an applicant believes provisions of the Borough’s Zoning Ordinance inflict unnecessary hardship.  The ZHB has jurisdiction for hearing and rendering a decision on the following;

• Applications for a variance or special exception from the Zoning Ordinance
• Substantive challenges to the validity of any land use Ordinance
• Appeals from any determination of a zoning officer
• Appeals from determinations by a municipal engineer

The ZHB typically meets the fourth Thursday of the month but that can vary on an as-needed basis to fulfill its purpose.

Anyone interested in being appointed to the ZHB should e-mail a letter of interest and resume to Codes Director Terri Dugan at tdugan@kennettsq.org.  Any questions about the Board can be directed to Director Dugan via e-mail or by calling 610-444-6020. 

In order to serve on the ZHB, an individual must be a resident of the Borough. 

For Immediate Release: October 28, 2022

Borough of Kennett Square Water Main Break Update

Personnel from the Borough’s Department of Public Works have fixed the water main break on the 500 block of W. Mulberry Street.  W. Mulberry Street is now back open to traffic.

The water main break and subsequent work by the Public Works Department does not impact the drinkability of the water.

Residents on W. Mulberry Street (and the surrounding area) who experienced disruption should have fully functioning water services at this time.   Any resident still experiencing a problem with their water service should call 877-648-3081.  Please note this is an after-business hours emergency number.

The Borough thanks the residents for their patience while this issue was being addressed.

For Immediate Release: October 27, 2022

Borough of Kennett Square Receives $2 million to Advance Municipal and Community Services Complex

Borough of Kennett Square, Chester County – The Pennsylvania Governor’s Office of the Budget awarded the Borough of Kennett Square $2 million from its Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) on Oct. 26, 2022 to be used toward the completion of its multi-purpose complex.

The borough purchased several buildings at 600 S. Broad Street with the intention to transform the underutilized space into a comprehensive municipal and community services complex, which will include administrative offices, the police station, and community-service providers. The complex is widely regarded as the borough’s next major step to elevating the borough and helping its citizens. The community recognizes the critical role Rep. Christina Sappey and Sen. John Kane played in promoting the complex and securing funding.

“We are a borough that cares deeply about the future of our community,” said Borough Mayor Matthew Fetick. “To that end our police department and community-service providers deserve a facility that gives them space, infrastructure, and location in the borough to do their jobs effectively and reach our residents. We could not have done this without the enthusiastic support and efforts of Rep. Sappey and Sen. Kane. We are excited for their continued help in improving our community.”

RACP is an annually-available competitive grant program authorized in the state’s budget. It will be used to renovate a portion of the main building to create an accredited police station for the department. The new facility will specifically be designed to address security concerns and provide adequate, safe, and productive space for police operations.

“I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to help the Kennett community secure funds for this important project,” said Rep. Sappey, an advocate of the project. “The complex will help keep crime rates low and provide a bridge between community members and vital community services. I am looking forward to seeing Kennett Square Borough come together and prosper.

The complex is located adjacent to Kennett High School and is proximate to the other major community service providers and destinations, such as the Kennett Greenway, Kennett Area YMCA outdoor pool, the Kennett Square Farmers Market, Kennett Area Community Services, a kindergarten, and several Birch Street restaurants and breweries.

The borough intends to utilize about 40 percent of the space in the complex for administrative and police functions. They are evaluating several community partners to occupy the unused space in the complex. The borough has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for these ancillary spaces with the intent to provide maximum flexibility in selecting like-minded partners who will bring complementary and community-focused uses to the complex.

“There is so much opportunity at this property, and it will be exciting to view the proposals from interested parties. The complex’s central location offers ample opportunity for successful investment in Kennett Square Borough. I look forward to seeing what services our community will provide in the near future,” said Borough Council President Doug Doerfler.

For question or comment, please contact Borough Manager Kyle Coleman at (610) 444- 6020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Release

Kennett Square Borough Receives $125,000 Greenways, Trails & Recreation Program Grant

Kennett Square Borough – On September 20, 2022, the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) notified Kennett Square Borough, Chester County, of a $125,000 grant award from the Greenways, Trails, and Recreation Program (GTRP).

The grant funding will be used for costs associated with transforming a 33,000-square-foot leftover, forgotten, “backyard” space into a valuable recreational amenity. Local commonwealth legislators Representative Christina Sappey and Senator John Kane expressed support for the project, alongside area residents and community organizations.

Douglas Doerfler, president of the Kennett Square Borough Council stated, “The Borough is incredibly excited to advance this transformational park project. We are most grateful to our elected officials for their support this project and our efforts to provide additional recreational amenities to our residents that will lead to improved health and an enhanced quality of life.”

The proposed Red Clay Park and Creek Restoration project also includes environmental restoration efforts, including the removal of invasive species, streambank stabilization, and reforestation to stabilize eroding banks. In addition, the construction of creek access and new portions of trailways and associated recreational amenities will be included.

“I was happy to support Kennett Square Borough’s application for these funds,” said Representative Sappey. “The Red Clay Park and Creek Restoration Project will provide environmental and recreational benefits in an optimal location, creating key pedestrian connections to Kennett High School, the YMCA, the new library, Anson B. Nixon Park, local businesses and more.”

The project is part of a continued effort to advance the development of the Kennett Greenway, a multi-municipal 14-mile pedestrian and bicycle loop. The goal of the Kennett Greenway is to connect the greater Kennett community to everyday destinations, the area’s natural beauty, employment centers, services and amenities, and various other points of interest via a 14-mile pedestrian and bicycle loop. This funding will advance the creation of a new amenity on the overall Greenway, as well as revitalize a portion of the park into a key community green space within Kennett Square.

 “This is an amazing opportunity for the community to create a vibrant, inclusive, and inspiring place that provides residents and visitors the opportunity to connect with nature and each other,” said Christina Norland, Executive Director of the Kennett Trails Alliance. “What is even more special about this project is that Borough residents will be able to enjoy this reclaimed public space right in their own backyard.”

For questions or comments, please contact Kyle Coleman, Borough Manager at kcoleman@kennettsq.org. For more information on the Red Clay Park Project or to get involved, please visit http://www.kennectivity.com/redclay.