Phoenixville Restoration Shared With PA Lawmakers

PHOENIXVILLE, PA —Pennsylvania lawmakers were treated to a tour of the borough of Phoenixville Thursday to learn how the borough transformed from an old steel town to a dynamic dining destination and weekend destination for locals and tourists.

State Rep. Paul Friel, a Chester County Democrat, organized Thursday's tour for the state House Policy Majority Committee members.

"This was a great opportunity for our members to see first-hand how successful this region is and how it can be duplicated in communities across Pennsylvania,” Friel said.

The lawmakers started the day with an in-depth history lesson on the revitalization of the downtown area.

Lawmakers then made stops at eight local businesses along Main and Bridge Streets to talk with store owners about the challenges they face, and what can be done in Harrisburg to better support their businesses.

“When our locally owned businesses do well, Pennsylvania does well," House Majority Policy Chairman Ryan Bizzarro, an Erie Democrat, said.

Tour stops included the Phoenixville Borough Hall, Colonial Theater, Bistro on Bridge, Forever Changes, Café com Leite, Bridge Street Chocolates, Phoenix Village and Bluebird Distilling.

Business owners and local officials told members that change, although not easy, is necessary for revitalization efforts.

The business owners said that the inner workings between the government and community have to be on the same page to maximize revitalization and plan for the future.

"There's an intersection of public policy, public investment and economic growth in our downtowns, and these public investments from Harrisburg, county and local sources are critical to development because they return tenfold the type of investment happening in communities," Friel said.