GET READY FOR WEST CHESTER'S
OPEN-AIR MARKETPLACE!

Yes, We're Closing Gay Street.

No, It's Not Permanent.

Read on for the True Story! 

Like other local Main Streets, West Chester's Main Street will soon close to vehicles and become a temporary open-air marketplace. 

Why are we creating an open-air marketplace?

The pandemic is not over, and it is resurging in hot spots across the country. We must allow more space for people to distance as they come into town to shop, dine, visit professional/service businesses, and work. Additionally, being outdoors greatly decreases the risk of viral transmission. We need to protect everyone, and we need all visitors to feel comfortable and safe so they will come back to town to support our businesses! 

How else will we ensure safety? 

We will be installing gel-based hand sanitizing stations, selling masks, and including signage to communicate the safety measures we must all take. We are also sharing Health Department guidance with all business owners to be sure our expectations are clear, and our Police Department will be monitoring the Central Business District. 

When will this happen? 

The Borough is working with PennDOT to get approval of the plan. As soon as we do, the street will close. PennDOT is being very responsive and we hope this will be very soon! When we open the Marketplace, we will begin with a 'soft opening' and follow up with a 'grand opening' once everything is in place. By 'everything', we mean all safety measures as well as some cool new public art, thanks to the Borough's Public Arts Commission. 

Is this a temporary or permanent closure?

The open-air marketplace is not permanent. If all goes well, the marketplace will likely remain in effect through the fall, until the weather turns cold. If concerns arise, we will refine and readjust. For example, we can change the marketplace hours, or we can reopen Gay Street altogether. We will monitor this closely, and we want your feedback!

How will we measure success?

We will be communicating with businesses to see how they are doing. It is difficult to put metrics into place, because we have no way of knowing how the businesses would perform if we didn't close Gay Street. We cannot compare business revenue to the same time last year, for example, because the pandemic has upended all normalcy. We are doing this so visitors can protect themselves and come back to our great town. We are in this together.

What exactly is the plan? 

The plan is to temporarily close Gay Street, 24/7, from Matlack to Darlington Streets (4 blocks), per the map below, and create an open-air marketplace. All cross streets will remain open.

What about businesses on other streets? How are we supporting them?

Businesses not on Gay Street will still receive marketing support from the BID, and BID is encouraging visitors to support all businesses in town. Direct access and on-street parking will remain available for these businesses. We are also working with PennDOT to determine if we can expand outdoor dining into the parking areas. 

What about traffic? 

Gay Street traffic will be routed to Chestnut Street, and Chestnut Street will become two lanes between Matlack and Walnut so merging will no longer be necessary. Drivers can stay in the left lane and go directly to Chestnut Street Garage. Additional signage will help visitors find parking.

Where will I park? 

Parking will be available at all open metered spots and Borough garages. The Borough is also working to create additional parking opportunities. Businesses can use the existing voucher system to reduce or eliminate the cost of garage parking for customers. All existing handicapped parking spaces will remain open and accessible. (BTW, parking enforcement resumed yesterday.)

What about deliveries? 

The WCPD conducted a thorough survey and has coordinated all needs. The open cross streets and alley access is helpful for most businesses. Additionally, barriers will be inset from the corner as shown below, and the PD will establish delivery/loading/unloading zones at the end of each block for this purpose, as indicated by the green arrows. 

What about pick-up/drop-off and take-out?

The loading/unloading zones at the end of each block, as well as the cross streets, can be used for brief parking.

How much will this cost?

This will not cost Borough taxpayers. The Borough is already housing revolving grant funds to be used for community development. The BID will hold the loan to pay expenses and will pay the funds back to the Borough interest-free in several years. We will also sell Main Street Strong T-shirts and employ other fundraising ideas. Additionally, we have two fantastic WCU interns working with the BID Marketing Committee to generate a vibrant social media campaign!

What about fire safety and EMS?

The West Chester Fire Department and Good Fellowship Ambulance have been part of the planning process from the outset. The Fire Department has already conducted two training exercises to ensure they are prepared in case of fire emergency, and Good Fellowship will be staging a golf cart nearby in case patients need transport from Gay Street. We thank our wonderful first responders!! 

What about the impending PECO construction?

PECO will be replacing underground transformers on Gay Street and several other streets soon. Construction on Gay Street will take place Monday through Thursday, 11pm to 9 am, and the street will be buttoned up and open for business all day, every day. 

This is a reopening, not a closure!

We can't wait to welcome everyone to

West Chester's new open-air marketplace!

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To contact Mayor Herrin directly:

DHerrin@west-chester.com