The Outfitter shuttle bus launched its runs between Coatesville and Gap on Feb. 8, and riding on it were many of the 80 Coatesville City and area residents just hired for warehouse jobs at the Urban Outfitters distribution center on Brackbill Road.
City Manager James Logan said during Coatesville City Councilâs Feb. 8 remote meeting Urban Outfitters had immediately hired 80 of 89 applicants at a Feb. 6-7 job fair sponsored by the city. So far, 29 of the new employees had signed up for free shuttle transportation funded by the company and a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation grant. Others planned to drive.
City Council member Donald Folks said some applicants told him having transportation to and from employment meant they would be able to leave welfare behind and purchase food for their families.
With 754 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the city, Coatesville City Council Jan. 11 voted unanimously to continue its December emergency declaration, meaning citizens must continue to take strict precautions at least until Feb. 10.
Residents are required to wear masks in public, avoid gatherings and to continue to maintain recommended social distancing and sanitation measures. Noting there have been six deaths because of COVID-19, council members also offered prayers to heal and protect citizens.
Joseph DiScuillo, chairman of the Coatesville Redevelopment Authority, attended the meeting to announce the city has received a $1 million grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Revitalization Assistance Program to help pay for the 480-car parking garage planned for the planned new train station at Fleetwood Street and Fourth Avenue.
COATESVILLEâEven as 2020 saw a weakened economy due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Chester County s only city showed its resiliency by moving forward with several redevelopment projects.
Community members held many meetings this year, mostly via Zoom, to discuss ongoing revitalization efforts in the city.Â
Several progress report meetings were attended by 50 or more people, including business leaders, investors, entrepreneurs, developers and local officials.
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During one such meeting in November, Coatesville City Council President Linda Lavender-Norris, City Manager James Logan, and Sonia Huntzinger, economic development administrator at Coatesville 2nd Century Alliance, gave updates on several redevelopment projects in the city.