Chester's Mayor Unveils Pride, Resilience, and Progress in State of the City Speech

With a theme of “Where History Meets Progress,” Mayor Stefan Roots delivered the annual State of the City of Chester address on Thursday with a focus on progress and potential in the midst of challenges.

Hosted by the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce and held on the campus of Widener University, the mayor spoke about improvements being made even as the city remains in the midst of bankruptcy, efforts being made in light of the Crozer closures while also speaking about a blueprint being set for a more vibrant tomorrow for the city.

“Chester’s a city with a deep and vibrant history from William Penn’s first landing to its pivotal role in the Industrial Revolution, we’ve always been a city of promise and potential,” Roots said. “Although we face our share of challenges, we continually rise above them, driven by resilience, hope and that … C-Pride.”

He said that as mayor his focus has been to honor the city’s past while leading it to a brighter, more dynamic future.

“We’re addressing our challenges head-on while building a city that’s stronger, safer and more vibrant for everyone,” the mayor said.

His first goal, Roots said, was to fix City Hall.

That’s been done by new hires, such as the city’s Health Commissioner Dr. Kristin Motley and Chief Financial Officer Richard Troutman.

“In 2025, I’m pleased to say that we’ve been delivering those vital and essential services, thanks to having the right people in place,” Roots said. “We really couldn’t deliver those services at the same rate a year ago. I consider that as a huge point of pride.”

Improvements have also been made to city hall including replacing the air conditioning system after workers had to be sent home last summer due to the heat, electrical switch gear that had been causing power outages was replaced, council chambers and other rooms had multi-media upgrades and hot water was placed in the women’s restrooms. In addition, fresh paint and bright light bulbs were added.

He noted the city moving forward with a $60 million Public Works garage on Route 291.

The mayor also addressed what’s being done since Prospect Medical Holdings closed Crozer-Chester Medical Center in nearby Upland on May 2. The company closed Taylor Hospital the week prior to that and Springfield and Delaware County Memorial hospitals had been closed for years.

“We are working and advocating every day to try to bring a hospital back to our community,” Roots said. “Bringing a hospital back up and running is a huge undertaking that will require considerable time and resources.”

In the meantime, he said, the health and wellness of all residents is a priority.

“Our response must be comprehensive, ensuring that every community member has access to the care and resources that they need,” he said.

One resulting action was the city’s signing a contract with VMSC Emergency Medical Services to provide ambulance transport and pre-hospital emergency care. They are now stationed in the Chester fire station off Providence Avenue.

“This partnership is protecting the health and safety of our residents in rebuilding emergency care infrastructure,” Roots said.

He highlighted the work of Motley during this time, including connecting with the Delaware County Health Department to access resources for residents and developing contacts with the health industry and introducing them to Chester and coordinated with a network of regional health systems and providers to offer free primary care and health screening services to Chester residents while also heading the Chester Lead Task Force.

“We’re addressing our challenges head-on while building a city that’s stronger, safer and more vibrant for everyone,” the mayor says. (KATHLEEN E. CAREY – DAILY TIMES)

The mayor talked about public safety.

“We’re investing in public safety, working closely with our police department and community members to build trust and reduce crime,” Roots said. “We’ve seen encouraging signs of progress … So far, in 2025, we are seeing an impressive reduction in crime. Overall, we’ve seen more than a 50% reduction in homicides from the same period last year.”

One thing that was changed was moving from an eight-hour shift for police officers to a 12-hour shift, allowing for more officers to be on the streets.

In addition, he said the city is moving more and more toward a community policing model, where officers patrol the community on foot and engage with residents directly, improving relationships.

The mayor also noted quality-of-life issues taking place such as the cleaning of lots and dump sites, removal of abandoned cars and ticketing illegal parking, embarking on a blight study to identify immediate demolitions, maintaining safe parks and implementing a facade improvement in the Overtown business section near City Hall.

He also spoke of the Safe Summer Initiatives started last year. With a 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew active for those 17-years-old or younger until Aug. 31, the initiative also includes a host of activities and programs for youth.

He said the city is focusing on improvements to the Sun Village Park, as well as pocket parks that could be created in areas where buildings or homes once stood.

“The goal is that every resident throughout the city has no less than a five-minute walk to attractive green space,” Roots said, even as patching streets and maintaining and adding lighting is also a priority.

He also spoke of the launch of the Chester City Connect app, a free app that connects users to city information.

He himself has started a cartoon series on his Facebook page called “The Adventures of Mayor Roots” to teach young people civics.

Roots spoke about beautification efforts at the State of the City address such as this fence art next to the Deshong property. (KATHLEEN E. CAREY – DAILY TIMES)

The mayor also spoke about murals being painted throughout the city and fence art by Legacy Arts Chester near the DeShong property.

He also addressed the city’s state of bankruptcy, which was initiated by the receiver in 2022.

“We’ve made tough but necessary decisions to stabilize our city’s finances and restore fiscal responsibility,” he said. “Chester’s financial foundation is strengthening, providing us with the flexibility to invest in what matters most. Chester still has a long road ahead of us with receivership and bankruptcy.”

Looking ahead

Despite that, he invited all to be a part of the city’s future.

“Chester is open for business,” the mayor said. “We’re welcoming new entrepreneurs and supporting long-standing businesses and will continue to do so. We’re cutting the red tape and rolling out the red carpet.”

Roots also noted the nearing of completion of a multi-unit housing development in the central business district.

“This is evidence that people are starting to view Chester as a vital place once again for developing contemporary, affordable and market-rate residential projects,” he said, adding his vision to make Chester a premier destination. “Why? Because all roads lead to Chester. Chester is a destination.”

He noted events such as Celebrity Boxing at Harrah’s that brought thousands to the city and more is to come with America 250 and FIFA World Cup activities next year.

And, each year, the Philadelphia Union draws 250,000 fans to the city and noted the $80 million WSFS Sportsplex.

For the first time in this address, the mayor brought up special guests to talk about their experiences with the city.

Adam Kaliner, CEO and co-founder of Power Home Remodeling, spoke of how the company moved to Chester in 2011.

“We were up the road in Brookhaven,” he said. “At the time, we had about 380 people and we had no parking and we had about 16,500 square feet of space.”

Adam Kaliner, CEO and co-founder of Power Home Remodeling, speaks at the State of the City. His company has taken over and continues to grow in the previously abandoned Philadelphia Electric power plant. (KATHLEEN E. CAREY - DAILY TIMES)

With a vision of growth, they looked for new headquarters and landed in Chester in the former Philadelphia Electric power plant along the riverfront.

At the time, they moved into 55,000 square feet in the building.

Now, they occupy 185,000 square feet there and their employees in Chester have grown to 962, all while becoming Fortune‘s 14th best place to work in the United States. The company has more than 3,000 employees in 19 offices across the country.

“This city of Chester houses the 14th best place to work in the country,” Kaliner said. “If we could do it, other people could do it, I’m sure.”

He said they just signed another lease for another 12 years and will take over Turbine Hall in same building as their headquarters.

Having sat vacant, Turbine Hall with its 65,000 square feet will provide Power with more office space as well as an event and experiential hub for their employees.

Noting the work that has to be done for the city to reach its full potential, Kaliner said, “This place is going to be great and it just takes time, it takes commitment, it takes community and we’re excited to be doing our part and we’re more excited to see what’s ahead under the leadership of the mayor.”

Born and raised in Chester Roland Taylor, co-founder and owner of Duo Tacos and Bowls, talked about creating the business with his wife, Lucy.

“Duo Tacos birthed out of a need,” he said. “We wanted to get involved in moving the city forward. We wanted to create something that was very colorful, very light for the city. Four years ago, it was kind of out of the box when we created this thing.”

Their vision, he said, was to bring people to the city.

Roland Taylor with his wife, Lucy in front of their business, Duo Tacos on Avenue of the State. Taylor spoke at the State of the City address. (KATHLEEN E. CAREY – DAILY TIMES)

“We were met with a lot of criticism, like, ‘How you going to sell tacos in Chester?’ ” Taylor said. “It was risky but we didn’t do this because it was easy. We did this because there was a need. We needed to attract people from outside. We wanted to attract people that aren’t from the city in it because we get a bad rap.

“The tacos are just the bait,” he said. “We’re fishing. Tacos’ a worm. We’re fishing. We’re fishing to fight blight. We’re fishing to incite more businesses. We’re fishing to … get Chester a better reputation.”

And, now, their success can reap others’.

“Me being from this town and being able to have a successful vibrant business,” Taylor said, “it shows that … it’s possible.”

Stephanie Willis, co-founder and owner of Everybody Eats Cafe, began her Chester business in 2021 as a nonprofit, setting up grills and DJs to give people food to eat as part of a community-based movement.

“We realized we needed a home for our space,” she said, adding that they also learned they needed a way to pay for the meals they distributed so they set up the cafe.

First, the business moved into the former Vittles at 801 Sproul St., now it’s on Fifth Street.

“We still feed the community every single day before we open the doors,” she said. “We’re happy to be a part of all the things that are happening in Chester … We’re happy to continue the work here.”

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