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Pennsylvania city of Chester weighs industrial vs mixed-use revival

The debate follows a $97M public and private injection announced by Gov. Josh Shapiro as the city remains in bankruptcy nearly four years after pandemic pressure intensified its decadeslong decline.

Reported · Written up by our desk · Industry

Chester, a 34,000-person city just south of Philadelphia, has been in bankruptcy for nearly four years as the pandemic worsened its decadeslong economic decline, according to Bisnow.

This month, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro announced a $97M injection of public and private funds aimed at revitalizing the struggling city, but the development path is contested.

Some backers argue Chester’s transportation links and industrial legacy make it a fit for a logistics-focused warehouse hub, while Mayor Stefan Roots opposes additional industrial uses on the waterfront and prefers destination-oriented mixed-use projects.

Roots said the city does not want more smokestacks and argued that existing industry has not contributed enough revenue to keep Chester out of bankruptcy.

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