New Hope Borough Newsletter

A Note From the Council President

New Hope Borough Council President Connie Gering

It’s been a productive and exciting 2019 for the Borough, as a number of projects are coming to fruition. The Main Street pedestrian improvement project is almost complete, the Bridge Street pedestrian improvement project is on track for completion early next year, we expanded our contribution to the library and reached a long-term cooperation agreement for recreation programs – all while holding the line on the Borough budget with no increase in taxes.

We are improving the way we oversee and administer the tasks and issues that come before the Council, to better and more quickly serve the needs of residents and local businesses. All the members of Council and Borough staff have been instrumental in this process.

Keeping a sharp eye on project costs has been a priority for us this year. Planning and oversight allow us to keep costs low, while still allowing for adjustments to meet community needs. The progress of the two grant funded construction projects: Main Street Pedestrian Improvement Project and the Bridge Street pedestrian improvement project, both funded through grants, are good examples, and you can read more about these projects in the newsletter.

And if you were part of the crowds last October that watched as the centuries-old Odette's building was carefully rolled to its new home, you are have probably noticed the improvements that have been made to the historic building, which will stand as a welcoming south gateway to New Hope Borough.

I hope you find the contents of this newsletter to be helpful and informative. And I would like to remind you to be sure to sign up on the Borough website: www.newhopeborough.org to get the latest news and updates.

Nightly Lane Restrictions on Main Street Starting Oct. 7

PennDOT will be paving Main Street from Windy Bush Road (Route 232) to the Borough border at North Main starting Monday, Oct. 7. The work will take place weekday nights, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. Single lane closures should be expected; flaggers will be on site to direct traffic. The paving is expected to be completed before the end of October, weather permitting.

Fall Leaf Collection

The New Hope Borough Department of Public Works conducts an annual fall leaf collection program on Wednesdays.

The 2019 leaf collection program will run each Wednesday from October 9 to December 4.

Requirements

• All leaves must be placed in plastic or paper bags. Leaves that are not bagged will not be collected.
• Bags must be tied and placed at the curb for collection. 
• Leaves will only be collected from public roads (does not include private HOA's).
• Property owners should ensure bags are not placed in the street and especially that they are not blocking storm water basins or drainage-ways.

For additional information, please contact Tom Carroll, the Borough's Director of Public Works, at 215-862-3031. Check out this information for some great, environmentally-friendly alternative ideas to manages leaves on our Leaf Waste document (PDF).

Pine2Pink Comes to New Hope

Mechanic Street becomes "Pink Street" this October, part of the Pine2Pink Foundation's efforts to inspire local people and businesses to donate money to support local breast cancer patients in treatment and recovery during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

"We're delighted to help bring this unique experience to New Hope, and we're especially proud of all our merchants who are gearing up for this month-long event," said Borough Council President Connie Gering. "From the virtual scavenger hunt to the lights bathing the streets in a pink glow, this engaging and creative event is a perfect fit for New Hope. And the outcome – neighbor-helping-neighbor in support of local breast cancer patients – couldn't be more important to us all."

The virtual scavenger hunt, similar to "Pokemon-Go," uses an app to place virtual pink ribbons throughout New Hope which connect to a hundred prizes. Special events are scheduled at many venues around the Borough, and Mechanic Street will be awash with pink lighting at night.

You can read more about the Pine2Pink Foundation, and stay up-to-date on every event this October, at pine2pink.org.

Curiouser and Curiouser: A Mad Hatter Tea Party

You're invited to a Mad Hatter Tea Party for children ages 4-8, accompanied by an adult. This event will be held in the New Hope Borough Community Room on Saturday, Nov. 2 from 2–4 p.m. and is sponsored by New Hope Park & Recreation. The admission is $5 per person; RSVP to Pam at can0789@aol.com.

Borough Improvement Projects

New Hope Borough has several active projects ongoing to continuously help improve the Borough infrastructure for the betterment of the community. Most of the projects are funded by state and other agency grants to offset the costs associated with the project.

Active Borough projects include:

• Main St. Pedestrian Improvement Project
• Bridge St. Pedestrian Improvement Project
• Town/Canal Interface Project

MAIN STREET PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

In 2015, the Borough was awarded a PennDOT Multimodal Transportation Fund (MTF) Grant in the amount of $126,700 for Main Street pedestrian improvement projects. Since the award of the grant, the Borough, with the Borough Engineer, have been working to finalize the plans for curb ramps and future crosswalks along Main Street to help make it more pedestrian friendly and safe.

The Main St. Pedestrian Improvement Project consists of:

• Construction of curb ramps and the relocation of a crosswalk from the southern leg to the northern leg at Main Street & W. Parry Street
• Construction of curb ramps and installation of crosswalks across Main Street & Ferry Street (crosswalks will be installed at all 4 legs to the current island, but the curb ramp at the island is not being replaced at this time due to the pending development at the Logan Inn)
• Construction of curb ramps and installation of a crosswalk at Main Street & Mechanic Street

This project is scheduled for completion at the end of the summer of 2019 following the paving of Main St. (from Windy Bush Road to the northern border of the Borough) by PennDOT.

BRIDGE STREET PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

In 2017, the Borough was awarded a Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development grant in the amount of $92,980.

The scope of the project calls for the installation of a 5-foot wide sidewalk with 4-foot fence to protect pedestrians from the grade difference between the sidewalk and the access to the storefronts that are below street level. The project also proposes a 1.5-foot vegetated area where possible to separate pedestrians from the through traffic on the roadway.

The project is scheduled for public bidding for the construction work in early 2020.

TOWN / CANAL INTERFACE PROJECT

This project was awarded $240,728 from Bucks County and $10,000 from PECO in grant funds for improvements in interconnectivity between the Towpath Trail and the Commercial Downtown.

The proposed improvements include improved accessibility and visibility through the implementation of site improvements, signage and pedestrian/bicyclist amenities.

The New Hope Town/Canal Interface Project will implement the following recommendations from the 2010 New Hope Borough Open Space Plan:

• Continue to enhance trailheads and establish new trailheads at appropriate locations such as Randolph Street and/or Parry Street with amenities such as benches, bike racks, improved signage and trail connections and landscaping.
• Designate bikeways and provide bike racks in strategic locations (i.e., trailheads) to reduce vehicular trips and encourage cyclists to patronize businesses.