The 2024 State of Delaware County breakfast hosted by the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce June 3 at the Llanerch Country Club, highlighted county council’s efforts in 2024 to address years of underinvestment in infrastructure.

Members of Delaware County Council presented highlights of its accomplishments and goals in the past year. The event concluded with a question-and-answer session..

On hand were Dr. Monica Taylor, chairman of County Council, along with Councilmen Richard R. Womack, vice chair; Elaine Schaefer, and Kevin Madden.

“We’ve worked incredibly hard to propel Delco into 2024,” said Dr. Taylor.

The county has more residents now than ever, at 575,000, yet its unemployment is lower than Pennsylvania’s, at 3 percent, while its per capita income is higher, she said.

Councilman Schaeffer promised that council would continue to make smart investments in people, services. communities and infrastructure.

“As we build a stronger Delco, we can’t help but attract people who want to be here,” Schaeffer said.

Here is a breakdown of projects and accomplishments since the 2023 State of the County address.

Business and economy

County council is creating a Delaware County 2050 Comprehensive Plan that looks at local land use and development.

The plan includes a new land bank and transportation projects to strengthen communities.

The county is using $25 million from the US Economic Development Administration’s Good Jobs Challenge to help workers increase skills in the health life, science, construction and energy sectors.  

A diversity of development projects are being planned in education, retail, restaurants, medical and other services that are expected to grow the county’s business community.

County infrastructure

Delaware County is investing almost $150 million largely through bond financing for overdue capital investments in bridge repair and building maintenance. Five county bridges were reconstructed and 34 more inspected.

The county also used the $150 million investment for renovations at the Fair Acres Geriatric Center, to build the county’s first inclusive playground at Rose Tree Park, to create a community center at the former Briarcliffe Fire House and to create Little Flower Manor Park in Darby.

Other successes include the purchase of new police radios and an upgraded 911 system, replacing the courthouse roof, county office technology upgrades, including a centralized purchasing system for increased efficiency and transparency; development of a multi-year plan at county facilities for ADA accessibility, upgrades to security and surveillance systems at the George W. Hill Correctional Facility and renovations to the county’s medical examiner’s office.

Delco Woods

During the question-and-answer session, council members addressed the creation of the county’s newest park, Delco Woods and talked about a more recent suggestion that a mental health residential facility be set up in the former Don Guanella School on the property.

Despite a lot of public outcry about having a mental health residential facility at the former Don Guanella school, the county is still creating a world class destination wooded park and reserve that will drive economic development and tourism in that area, according to Dr. Taylor and Councilman Madden

““So I think there’s been a lot of conversation around one small building on a 213-acre property,” Madden said.

Meanwhile, county officials continue their three-year search for a mental health residential facility.

“Unfortunately, it’s been really tough. There is, sadly, a lot of stigma around mental health,” Madden said.

People talk about the need for mental health services, especially after a mass shooting.

“And then when there’s an opportunity to actually do something about that, people don’t want to hear mental health treatment in their backyard,” Madden said.

Regarding the proposed facility at Delco Woods, Madden said it’s not Haverford State or Norristown State.

“We’re talking about a small home,” he said. “The people are not violent criminals. These are people who just have mental health problems.”

“One building in 213 acres you are not going to notice when you’re walking around the park on the rest of the 213 acres,” he said.

Health successes

The county created its first health department two years ago “to ensure health promotion, disease prevention, and health protection for all Delaware County residents.”

Some of its achievements to date include offering vaccines to children and seniors, flu shot clinics, lead poisoning prevention efforts, and public health emergency preparedness.

It conducted the county’s first community health assessment and in early spring 2023 offered a one-year anniversary gift to hundreds of residents in need, by delivering nonperishable food, clothing and essential items through its DCHD Delivers program.

Hospitals and healthcare

Prospect Medical Holdings, which owns Crozer Health, is in the middle of a search for a buyer of Crozer Health system’s multiple hospitals. Dr. Taylor said it was hoped that by mid-summer there would be information on the status of that search and whether there are viable buyers.

The county is also looking at lapses in local healthcare service and how it can bring in partners to provide those services.

The county is also studying a proposal by ChristianaCare to open two micro-hospitals, one in a central county location and one in the west. The exact locations of these 10-bed, 10-patient facilities should be announced in mid-July.

Councliman Kevin Madden also said it’s important to access the damage done to the Crozer Hospitals by Prospect.

“The amount of resources extracted during their ownership has left a real hole,” he said. “And whatever the solution is going to be it is going to require the state really stepping up in a meaningful way.” Investments beyond the county level will be needed, he said.

Anti-Crime successes

Dr. Taylor said Delaware County last year saw the fewest gun homicides in two decades along with a 68 percent decrease in gun-related homicides since 2019.

In Chester, there has been a 72 percent drop since 2019 in the number of people being shot, she said.

Dr. Taylor also touted the ongoing success of a state program, the Law Enforcement Treatment Initiative, that allows individuals seeking addiction treatment to go through law enforcement without the threat of arrest.

“The program diverts people with a substance use disorder away from the criminal justice system and into the treatment they really need,” Dr. Taylor said.

The county has also invested in mental health services and substance treatment and prevention. 

Fire/EMS Service

The county has received $35 million to make sure EMS and fire services have the resources they need, but limited manpower means consolidation is still likely happening for many of the smaller fire companies in Delaware County’s 49 municipalities.

Delaware County is doing an assessment on where fire services are needed and what’s currently available for fire companies and EMS services.

The county is working with state legislators on a bill to help municipalities form an authority that would oversee multiple fire territories. 

Environment, sustainability and open land

County Council has launched a Keep Delco Beautiful campaign, added composting at the government center, and is working with Public Works to study an electric vehicle charging system for the entire county.

It just held its third annual sustainability conference and has joined neighboring counties to form the Sustainable Energy Partnership for Southeastern Pennsylvania.

The county has invested in expanding and improving its park system and open green space.

The Parks and Recreation Department maintains 855 acres of open space, circuit trails, two community centers, the county golf course, amphitheater, dog park, 25 playing fields, community gardens and picnic groves.

Energy

Delaware County now has a regional power purchasing agreement with four other counties.

The new group has hired an energy broker who acts as a purchasing agent in real time so the counties have more control over the energy it is purchasing together, saving money and allowing for more renewable energy to be used.

Solid waste

During the question-and-answer session, council members were asked about an increase in trash dumping/tipping fees.  The fees, which now more closely match fees charged in the region, have gone up because it costs more to dump the trash, Madden said. The higher fees also give people an incentive to keep trash out of the landfills and recycle more.  

The higher fees will translate into investment revenue for the solid waste authority so there should be significant improvements in the coming years, he said.

The county has developed a zero-waste plan in the last two years to help the business community diversify waste and keep it out of landfills.  

A hospitality committee has been meeting for six months, for example, to see how to reduce food waste.

Rt. 291

The Delaware County Planning Department is using a $2.5 million grant to improve the safety of Rt. 291, an industrial highway, while connecting it to the neighborhoods it goes through.  The funds are also improving Chester’s segment of the East Coast Greenway, a walking and biking trail that will span 3,000 miles when completed.

Housing needs

A housing coalition worked on finding affordable housing for residents in need, including forming a partnership with Habitat for Humanity to administer a home repair program.

Funding was committed to redevelop Greenhill Court in Darby Township, which will provide 53 affordable housing units.

The county is also working on a shared food distribution center to streamline food insecurity services.

A Busy 2026

Delaware County is gearing up to be a major player in several 2026 events happening in the region.

Delaware County will be a focal point for the America 250 celebration in 2026 that will involve many local businesses and organizations. It’s also hosting the PGA Championship at the Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square.

The FIFA World Cup comes to Philadelphia and visiting international teams will be using the Subaru Park Philadelphia Union stadium in Chester to practice.

“The Union stadium will be the hub for three countries,” Dr. Taylor said. “A lot of the action will take place right here. A lot of teams will practice at Union. The county is hoping to capitalize on it.”

There’s also an MLB All-Star game that year and March Madness basketball will be coming to our region.