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In Today’s Issue of Downingtown Local Pulse…
🌹 Chester County Expands Survivor Benefits Beyond Volunteers Following Officer's Death
👔 Chester County Restores Traditional Government Titles
🚉 Downingtown Train Station Project Enters New Phase This Spring
🚧 PennDOT to Close Bypass Lanes Next Week for Sinkhole Paving Work
🏘️ Local Real Estate Listings
🗓️ Upcoming Local Events
Chester County Expands Survivor Benefits Beyond Volunteers Following Officer's Death
WEST CHESTER, PA — Chester County has updated its first responder death benefit policy to extend coverage to the families of paid emergency personnel, following the line-of-duty death of Pennsylvania State Police Cpl. Timothy O'Connor. The Board of Commissioners approved the change Wednesday, broadening a policy that had been in place since 2001 and had previously limited the $10,000 survivor payment to families of volunteer first responders only.
O'Connor was shot and killed on March 8 during a traffic stop in the Honey Brook area of Chester County. He is survived by his wife, daughter and parents. His funeral was held March 18. He was the first officer in Chester County to die in the line of duty in more than 50 years — since 1972.
Commissioners pointed to O'Connor's family as both the immediate impetus and a symbol of a larger commitment to supporting those who pursue careers in law enforcement and emergency services across the county. The new policy applies retroactively, with an effective date of Jan. 1 of this year.
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Out With the C-Suite: Chester County Restores Traditional Government Titles
WEST CHESTER, PA — Chester County has officially abandoned the corporate-style administrative structure it adopted just two years ago, with commissioners voting Wednesday to restore the title of county administrator and shed the executive designations that had briefly reshaped the top tier of county government.
The change comes on the heels of significant leadership turnover. In 2024, the county split its top nonelected role in two, bringing on David Byerman as its first chief executive officer and Erik Walschburger as chief operating officer. The experiment ended abruptly when Byerman left on March 2. Walschburger was named his replacement the same day — but under the old county administrator title, foreshadowing Wednesday's formal resolution.
The resolution approved Wednesday is designed to eliminate ambiguity around signatory authority, consolidating powers that had been shared between the CEO and county administrator roles under the single restored title. Walschburger now holds that position, with Megan Moser — formerly the chief experience officer — and Howard Holland both serving as deputy county administrators.
Downingtown Train Station Project Enters New Phase This Spring
Arial Rendering from Hankin Group
DOWNINGTOWN, PA — Work on the Downingtown train station project is advancing on multiple fronts, with early demolition now finished and a busy stretch of construction activity ahead for spring and summer.
A structure along Route 322 has been removed to meet stormwater requirements tied to the new station and bridge. The broader early-action demolition phase is on track for completion in April. In the meantime, travelers on Route 322 should plan for single-lane night closures on March 30, March 31 and April 20.
Beginning as early as April, crews will shift focus to utility relocation — a critical step before station construction can proceed in earnest. The work will involve replacing pole lines along Boot Road, Reed Street and Route 322, followed by a two-week boring operation underneath the railroad tracks, tentatively penciled in for May or June. A later lane closure along Route 322 will allow crews to remove existing overhead power lines. The utility relocation effort in its entirety is projected to conclude in September or October 2026.
PennDOT to Close Bypass Lanes Next Week for Sinkhole Paving Work
DOWNINGTOWN, PA — Commuters on the Exton Bypass face a slow stretch next week as PennDOT carries out paving work connected to an ongoing sinkhole remediation project in western Chester County. Lane closures will be active in both directions along U.S. Route 30 — between Route 100 and Business Route 30 — from Monday, March 30 through Wednesday, April 1, each day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The work is part of a $6.8 million initiative to stabilize sections of the roadway in West Whiteland and East Caln townships that have shown vulnerability to sinkholes. Crews are employing a grouting technique to fill voids underground and reduce the risk of future road collapses. Additional work along the corridor includes pavement reconstruction and drainage upgrades.
No alternate route has been designated, and officials are urging drivers to plan ahead, allow extra time, and stay alert to posted signage through the work zone. Midday travelers are expected to be most affected.
Market Snapshot for Downingtown
Just Listed:
335 E LANCASTER AVE #E4 Downingtown ($190,000)
19 PONDS END DR Downingtown ($615,000)
34 BUTTERWORTH CT Downingtown ($850,000)
Coming Soon:
902 CHISWELL DR Downingtown ($576,900)
212 TRUMAN WAY Downingtown ($775,000)
800 DOWLIN FORGE RD RD Downingtown ($775,000)
32 DOMINIC DR Downingtown ($899,000)
Active:
161 JEFFERSON AVE Downingtown ($215,000)
334 MARY ST Downingtown ($318,000)
255 PROSPECT AVE #B Downingtown ($325,000)
390 MARY ST Downingtown ($500,000)
58 GRAYSON LN Downingtown ($549,000)
121 FOUR LEAF DR Downingtown ($574,000)
9 WHITELY RD Downingtown ($599,900)
120 ARDEN WAY Downingtown ($615,000)
141 FOUR LEAF DR Downingtown ($625,000)
122 AMERICAN Downingtown ($659,900)
1026 HALTER RD Downingtown ($739,900)
923 STABLE WAY Downingtown ($770,000)
735 APPALOOSA RD Downingtown ($849,900)
798 SOUTHWIND LN Downingtown ($875,000)
103 TREGO LN Downingtown ($1,175,000)
1464 W STONINGTON Downingtown ($1,199,000)
See more listings at ChesterCountyRealty.com
INSTANT HOME VALUE CLICK HERE
Upcoming local events…
Free Kids’ Fishing Rodeo (Kerr Park) - March 28th, 9am-2pm
Downingtown Farmers’ Market (Kerr Park) - March 28th, 10am-12pm
West Pikeland Community Egg Hunt (Chester Springs) - March 28, 11am
Upper Uwchlan Easter Egg Hunt (Hickory Park) - March 28, 11am
West Bradford Easter Egg Hunt (Broad Run Park) - March 28, 12pm
Caln Easter Egg Hunt (Caln Municipal Park) - April 4th, 1pm
Coatesville Star Party Rescheduled - April 4, 7:30-9:30pm
Downingtown Main St Clean Up - April 11, 10am-1pm
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