East Gateway Triangle Neighborhood Association

EGT NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION PROJECT OVERVIEW

History

In 2005, Chester Community Improvement Project (CCIP) assembled a team of residents, city and state officials, educators, employers and local agencies to devise a plan that will address the number of issues affecting the lives of residents in the EGT community. The East Gateway Triangle Neighborhood Revitalization Plan was birthed out of these meetings.  This a resident led comprehensive plan to increase opportunities and improve the residents’ quality of life. In 2007, CCIP, EGT residents and stakeholders began the implementation of this comprehensive revitalization plan, the first of its kind in the City of Chester, with the support of a five-year implementation grant from Wachovia Regional Foundation.

Mission

The Mission of the East Gateway Triangle Neighborhood Revitalization Project is to the enhance the livability of the neighborhood by working to create a diverse, beautiful, safe and healthy environment.

Key Strategies

Housing Preservation and Development

• Preservation and rehabilitation of the existing housing stock
• Expand homeownership within the neighborhood
•  Reduce current housing density through re-conversion 
•  Encourage absentee landlords to be accountable for property upkeep and maintenance

 Community Organizing & Quality of Life Strategies

• Reintroduce sustainable grass roots resident participation in the neighborhood to assure community-wide stakeholder-led participation in the neighborhood revitalization and stabilization processes
• Expand and solidify participation of adjacent institutions & churches in support of the community
• Identify organizations that will provide on-going specific support for programming targeted to the area

Youth Programming and Education Enrichment Strategies

• Develop effective youth programming mechanisms within the neighborhood
• Establish a recreation/activity center that is accessible to residents
• Ensure self-sustaining programs and permanent    relationships between the community and service  providers
• Provide targeted enrichment services to expand     opportunities available at neighborhood schools
• Develop effective truancy remediation programs within the neighborhood

Phylical Improvement Strategies

• Assure that all residential blocks have well-maintained curbs & sidewalks
• Resurface all deteriorated street surfaces and replace all failed inlets
• Maintain public signage and road markings at a level that contributes to a positive perception of the  neighborhood
• Maintain and enhance street trees and street landscaping

Business Retention & Expansion Strategies

• Diversify & upgrade the range of retail stores available along Edgmont and Providence Avenues to support the surrounding residential community
• Expand employment opportunities available in the  community
• Create a “retail place” for the Widener campus
• Reoccupy or redevelop visible commercial vacancies
• Enhance business facades & streetscape conditions along Edgmont and Providence Avenues
• Create gateways & positive commercial corridor conditions along Edgmont and Providence Avenues to benefit the adjacent neighborhood and the overall Chester community.