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COATESVILLE—As work is underway to build a $65 million ADA-compliant train station, city revitalization is booming.
The new station, at Fourth Avenue and Fleetwood Street, just to the east of the historic station building, is on schedule and is expected to be completed by late 2025, according to PennDOT.
Pat Gardiner is director of construction services for Michael Baker International and talked about the ongoing work at the train station.
“We are about 40% of the way into the project with an anticipated 2025 completion date,” Gardiner said. “Throughout the first two months of 2024, we will be working on the upper portion of the south wall on the Fleetwood Street side.
“We are installing approximately three dozen 30- to 35-foot deep helical piles, connected by beams, that the platforms will rest on. In addition, we are working on waterline relocation along Coates Street.”
James Logan, City of Coatesville manager, is enthusiastic.
“As we prepare for the completion of the new Coatesville Train Station in 2025, we are happy to report no major delays,” Logan said. “PennDOT’s leadership team continues to lead the way in achieving project milestones, and working with Michael Baker International has been a great experience.
“The new Coatesville Train Station will not only provide residents and commuters with state-of-the-art, ADA compliant features, we will also gain new sidewalks, road repairs and stormwater pipe replacement. Soon, residents will have access to local and regional stops throughout the Amtrak network, and we eagerly anticipate SEPTA’s restored service to Coatesville, which will improve our residents’ mobility and quality of life.
“The city continues to rewrite its narrative of a city on the rise, and this project has already attracted new residents, investors, and entrepreneurs.”
“PennDOT’s current station project is fully funded with federal transit (FTA) and state transit funding,” according to a PennDOT statement. “The project includes a 123-space parking lot and does not include a parking garage.
“Sufficient funding for the garage was not available at the time the station project moved to bid advertisement.
Joe DiSciullo is chairman of the Coatesville Redevelopment Authority and is excited by the ongoing revitalization in Coatesville.
“Things have turned around,” he said.
DiSciullo pointed to projects like the establishment of the nth Innovation Center in 2021 and the Routes 30 and 82 highway intersection alignment in 2022. Also in 2022, the Palmer Park improvements, a $3.5 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant award for construction of the fire station and public works facilities and a completed citywide parking study, along with eight projects scheduled for completion sparked the revitalization.
Four new restaurants opened, or are about to open, including the Record Kitchen and Bar, the Iron Eagle on Lincoln Bar & Grille and 30 Prime Seafood and Chophouse. There is even a new axe-throwing center and a new ice cream parlor.
In 2023, the Coatesville Community and Workforce Training Center opened, while the C-Town grocery store is pending, a new garage is pending and groundbreaking took place at the $75 million National Sport and Events Center, with 16 additional projects underway.
The new station improves passenger safety, amenities and mobility. The state-of-the-art facility will include high-level accessible platforms, with canopies, and seating. A new pedestrian–only underpass will convert Fourth Avenue below the train tracks from vehicular to non-motorized access.
Also, accessible facilities conducive to increased train travel for seniors and those with disabilities will benefit an estimated 1,374 Coatesville senior citizens and 1,442 residents with disabilities.
Already, tax revenues have increased from $7.15 million in 2015 to $8.29 million in 2021. The city unemployment rate dropped 50% from 35.3% in 2015 to 22.7% in 2022.
Also, home ownership increased from 36.4% in 2015 to 41.5% in 2020.
County Commissioner Marian Moskowitz was asked about the train station.
“A restored regional rail service is going a long way in restoring Coatesville’s strength,” Moskowitz said. “So much of what is happening in the city right now has been boosted by the building of the train station in the heart of the community.
“Trains leaving the station will give access to regional jobs and greater economic opportunities for those living in Coatesville; and trains coming into the station will bring even more business, retail and restaurant growth, as well as renewed vitality in, and strength to the city’s neighborhoods.”
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