We've been asked a lot recently to let you know what's going on in town? Well here you go!      
Downingtown Borough News
This issue of the Downingtown News is sponsored by Mascherino Financial Group.  
  Do you decorate the outside of your home for the holidays? Then we have a competition for you!
Thank you to the Downingtown Thorndale Chamber of Commerce for sponsoring the Park and Recreation Commission's first annual "Home for the Holidays" decorating competition.  

Love decorating the outside of your home for the holidays?  Then here is a competition for your.   First prize is $200, second prize is $100 and third prize is $50.  It's free to register your home.   Who are the judges?  You and your neighbors are!!!   Residents are invited to buy one or more ballots ($5.00 with half benefiting the VA Hospital in Coatesville and half to help fund future Park and Recreation events) to select their choice for the Best Decorated Home in the Borough. 

On December 10th, the day of the Downingtown Christmas Parade, all registered "judges" will be emailed a map and ballot (s) vote for the best decorated house in Downingtown. You may purchase as many ballots as you wish, but only 6 ballots per email address can be ordered.  The competition will be open from December 10th through December 22nd.  Winners will be announced on December 23rd.   

Sign up for our "Home for the Holiday's House Decorating Competition and purchase a ballot! 

New Train Station Update

Plans for the new train station have taken a positive step forward.  For the past few years Borough Council, the Mayor and Manager Sullins have been actively seeking out developers to jumpstart the stalled "River Station" project. Earlier this year a local developer met with Borough of Downingtown officials to outline a plan that meets our local goals, including: privately maintained but publicly owned facilities, a pedestrian bridge into Johnsontown, access to the Chester Valley Trail and the financing available to finish the project.  

Unfortunately , in the years since "River Station" was first proposed, PennDot had moved to an "all parking" scenario for the area, rather than a redevelopment project.  Mayor Maxwell and the developer's representatives asked to meet with PennDot to propose an alternative plan.  They outlined some ideas for the potential project that combined a top tier rail station with a mixed use project .  During the discussions, PennDot asked if the Borough would be willing to take on the snow plowing of some areas of the station should they permit the developer to plan around the train station.  Council agreed to do that at their October 5th meeting.

A tentative agreement with Penn Dot was reached in mid October and the developer has started the legal process of securing the property.  This process could take 45 days for part of the parcel and an additional 3 months for the rest.

The Developer's plan, as it is expected to be presented to Downingtown, includes 300 apartments and condos, 20,000 sq. ft. of commercial space for coffee shop type retail, $350,000 in local tax revenue, $1,000,000 in revenue to the school district, access to the Chester Valley Trial and a pedestrian bridge into Johnsontown.

With the tentative agreement secured, and the property in the process of changing hands, the Borough has immediately started to seek funding to rehabilitate the old station parcels.  It has become our number one priority. Rehabilitating the old train station is an essential part to moving Downingtown forward.

Expect an official announcement on the Downingtown Train Station over the next few weeks and months.
Council News 

Highlights from recent Borough Council Meetings

  • In an effort to continue the process of having Catalyst Outdoor Advertising pay for the planting of trees near the electronic billboard on Rt. 30, Council asked Borough Manager Steve Sullins to reach out to Catalyst once again. 
  • Council approve a request by Downingtown Main Street Association to have a Victory Beer Garden in Kerr Park following the Dash of the Living Dead 5K. 
  • Manager Sullins reported that PennDot will soon be repairing two bridges in the Borough.  Priority will be the repairs to the Crescent St. Bridge.  PennDot will also improving the Lancaster Ave. bridge that crosses the Brandywine.  All historic details of that bridge will be preserved.  Work on the Lancaster Ave. bridge is expected to begin in 2018.  Manager Sullins is working with PennDot to determine the process for lane closures during the time of repairs on both bridges. 

Council meets on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at 7:00 p.m. (check the website for any changes to this calendar)


Link to Additional Resources
Zoning Hearing and Planning
Zoning
Changes have been recommended for Chapter 249 - Sidewalk and Streets Ordinance.  Council approved a motion to send the proposed ordinance out for thirty day review.   

Zoning Hearing Board meetings are on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m.


Planning Commission   

The Planning Commission meets on the last Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m.

Link to Additional Resources
Parks and Recreation Commission

Disc Golf Considered
Borough Council has approved a request from the Parks and Recreation Commission to construct a disc golf course in Kerr Park and on land behind Borough hall.   The 18 hole disc golf course will be built with donated funds and is expected to be completed in late 2017.  The beauty of disc golf is that it is low cost to construct, maintain, and play. The course will be open to the public to play for free during park hours, and individuals can buy everything they need to get started for under $20.  Concrete slabs hold the metal baskets which can be removed in inclement weather.   Want to know more about Disc Golf? Check out this link:http://www.pdga.com/introduction

Kayak Landing     
Council also approved a new Kayak Landing for the Borough.  Parks and Rec will be working with the Brandywine Conservancy to promote this recreational access to the Brandywine. 


New Member - Ryan Handforth was appointed by Council to the Commission on October 5, 2016.  Ryan has experience in social media marketing and branding.   

The Park and Recreation Commission meets on the third Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in Borough Hall    

Link to Additional Resources

Historic Commission

SUPPORT THE RESTORATION OF THE MINQUAS CANNON!

Have you ever been inside the Log House?  Now is your chance!  Mark your calendars for Sunday, November 6, 2016.  The Log House will be open for tours from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.   For more information, email dtownhistoric@gmail.com 

The Minquas cannon saw service on the USS Stonewall, Pilot Tender, East Gulf Coast Squadron.  The cannon is on the National Registry of Surviving Cannons and is a 12 pound, Bronze Dahlgren Boat Howitzer, Heavy. The Historic Commission is seeking donations to preserve the cannon for future generations.  As part of their fundraising efforts, the Historic Commission is raffling off a dinner for 4 at the Historic Log House.  Tickets are $50 and benefit the placement of the Minquas Cannon in the Veterans Memorial.   For tickets and information, click here.

The Historic Commission meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m.

Thank You!

Where would we be without our volunteers???

Halloween Parade
Thank you to all who came out to work, watch and volunteer for the annual Downingtown Halloween Parade and for Main Street Association's Dash of the Living Dead.  It was a perfect and WARM Saturday afternoon on Pennsylvania Ave!  Thank you to all the restaurants who provided nourishment to all the racers and to Victory Brewing Company for being such a great neighbor!

Thank you to our Downingtown Main Street volunteers who worked tirelessly to bring us another fantastic fall festival.   This annual September festival brings thousands of people into our Borough to enjoy the music, food and vendors lined up along Green Street and Pennsylvania Ave.   Thank you also to all the sponsors who helped make this another wonderful day in Downingtown! 

Thank you also to everyone who came out to support the Library at its "Library Love" event held at the Downingtown Country Club.   The event raised over $8000 for our new library.    


Upcoming Events

October 24- December  2

  • Borough Leaf Collection Dates
    (
    CLICK HERE TO VIEW GUIDELINES and SCHEDULE)

Monday, October 31, 2016

  • Halloween Trick or Treat from 6 to 8 p.m.

Sunday, November 6, 2016

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

  • Election Day  

Friday, November 11, 2016

  • Veterans' Day Flag Raising Ceremony at Kerr Park, 10am. (Presented by the Downingtown-Thorndale Regional Chamber of Commerce)

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Thank you to October's Newsletter Sponsor

Mascherino Financial Group
Always Business. Always Personal
 Insurance Investments Financial Services



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