What’s next for the East Whiteland data center site | Inquirer Chester County
Plus, a Longwood Gardens gender reveal.
Hi, Chester County! 👋
There’s been a lot of push and pull as developers look to move ahead with a data center on a former Superfund site in East Whiteland Township. We break down the proposals and what comes next. Also this week, local mushroom farmers are at odds over a national policy, two county school districts are among the area’s highest spenders on athletics, plus, a Kennett Square couple used a Longwood Gardens fountain show for their gender reveal.
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Like the plumes of dust rising from the site of what soon could become a data center in East Whiteland Township, concern rose in Malvern Hunt resident Kelly Donia as construction vehicles moved about it last month.
While the township has issued a stop-work order to assess the safety of the former Cyprus Foote Mineral Co. property, now a Superfund site, neighbors continue to express concern over the potential environmental impacts.
The Inquirer’s Frank Kummer and Brooke Schultz explain where things stand and what could come next.
📍 Countywide News
A 37-year-old Chester County man pleaded guilty last week to human trafficking and involuntary servitude after forcing two teenagers to work on a Kennett Square mushroom farm without pay. The Inquirer’s Vinny Vella has the details.
As measles cases continue to climb statewide — Chester County’s total has risen to 13 since April — officials are scrambling to track outbreaks of the highly contagious disease.
Local mushroom farmers are at odds over whether the U.S. Department of Commerce should make it more expensive to import mushrooms, a major industry in the county. The Inquirer’s Joseph DiStefano explains the standoff ahead of an expected decision this September.
Expect detours and delays on certain roads as projects continue or get underway. Notable closures this week include parts of Route 1 (presumably for Task filming), a monthslong project in East Bradford Township, and stream bank stabilization in Malvern.
💡 Community News
A Kennett Square couple recently celebrated their wedding and the birth of their child, revealing the gender during a custom fountain show at their reception at Longwood Gardens.
Phoenixville native and former Olympian Tyler Nase has been named the next head coach of women’s rowing at the University of Pennsylvania.
Longtime Vanguard Group executive and Chester Springs resident Gerry O’Reilly died suddenly last month. He was a former Irish Olympian and Villanova University Hall of Famer.
Oxford’s borough council is hosting a special meeting tonight at 7 p.m. to continue discussions about the future of its police department, with a possible vote on the table. The meeting will also be live streamed.
Franklin Township’s board of supervisors is holding a meeting Monday at 7 p.m. to discuss the future planned merger of the Avondale and West Grove Fire Companies, including their combined budget and interim governance agreement. Virtual attendees can also join via Zoom.
The Coatesville VA Medical Center will undergo a number of updates after receiving funds from Veterans Health Administration, including renovations to two buildings and a new roof on another.
East Goshen Township is launching a five-month composting pilot program in August for 50 households.
Penn Township is hosting a ribbon cutting today from 10 a.m. to noon for its new fitness court at Penn Township Park.
Phoenixville women’s boutique Refinery has expanded to a second location at 117 E. King St. in Malvern.
Ducklings Early Learning Center is expanding to Elverson, with its new location set to debut Monday. There’s a sneak peek event today from 4 to 7 p.m. Located at 4987 N. Twin Valley Rd., Ducklings Early Learning Center offers daycare and preschool programming.
🏫 Schools Briefing
West Chester Area School District had a 28% participation rate for student athletics during the 2024-25 school year, putting it among the highest in the region. Along with the Phoenixville Area School District, it spent over $1,100 per high school student on athletics, The Inquirer’s Maddie Hanna reports.
Coatesville Area School District has named Jennifer Becker assistant principal of Rainbow Elementary School.
Octorara Area School District has named Angela Regrut principal of Octorara Primary Learning Center.
The West Chester school district has appointed a supervisor of strategic initiatives and district partnerships. Katie Walker will begin in the newly created role in August.
🍽️ On our Plate
Goodness Bowls, which serves smoothies, bowls, juices, salads, and wraps, opened its newest location last week at 5 Paoli Plaza in Paoli.
A new ramen and Hawaiian barbecue spot opened recently in West Chester. Located at 124 E. Market St., Momoyama also serves fried noodles and rice, steamed buns, and dumplings.
Origami Asian Fusion recently opened in Exton. The BYOB serves sushi and Chinese dishes.
🎳 Things to Do
🎙️ Sound of Summer Free Concert Series: Wide-ranging cover band The Late Ambitions, which plays everything from the ‘50s to today, will perform. ⏰ Wednesday, July 29, 6:30-8:30 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Anson B. Nixon Park, Kennett Square
🛍️ Phoenixville Vintage Fest: Browse vintage goods and listen to live music at this two-day event. ⏰ Saturday, Aug. 1 and Sunday, Aug. 2, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Main and Bridge Streets parking lot, Phoenixville
🎆 Uwchlan Township Community Day: This celebration includes live music, food trucks, and kids activities followed by fireworks. ⏰ Saturday, Aug. 1, 4-9 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Lionville Park, Exton
🎀 Legally Blonde The Musical: See a musical adaptation of the iconic Reese Witherspoon movie. ⏰ Thursday, July 30-Saturday, Aug. 1, times vary 💵 $20-$28 📍 Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center, West Chester
🇺🇸 Drone Show: Catch a patriotic drone show over West Chester. ⏰ Sunday, Aug. 2, 9 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Downtown West Chester
🏡 On the Market
Thanks to a classic design, this stone estate looks historic but has all the trappings of a modern home. Some of its features include a kitchen with high-end appliances and an oversized island, a butler’s pantry, and a family room with vaulted ceilings. The home has six bedrooms, including a primary suite with a fireplace and two walk-in closets. There’s also plenty of outdoor living space thanks to a three-season room, a large deck with a fireplace, and a pool and spa. There’s an open house tomorrow from 2 to 4 p.m.
See more photos of the property here.
Price: $3.195M | Size: 9,339 SF | Acreage: 1.91
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