PICTURE CAPTION: Chester City Mayor Thaddeus Kirkland, City Councilmembers and other city officials join hotel owner Sailesh (Sam) Patel, representatives from the Chester Economic Development Authority (CEDA), the Chester Water Authority, and the Redevelopment Authority of Chester during a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the Candlewood Suites-Chester Hotel on Thursday, June 20.
Office of Mayor Thaddeus Kirkland
Date: Thursday, June 20, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
contact: Aigner Cleveland
Press Secretary
Mayor Thaddeus Kirkland, Chester City Councilmembers and CEDA are pleased to announce opening of new hotel in Chester.
Candlewood Suites Hotel Opens Doors in Chester
(CHESTER, PA) – On Thursday, June 20, 2019 Candlewood Suites –Chester, owned by VB Hospitality LLC, opened its doors as the newest hotel in Chester, PA.
Chester City Mayor Thaddeus Kirkland, City Councilmembers and several other city officials joined hotel owner Sailesh (Sam) Patel during a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the hotel’s official opening.
Patel, who owns other hotels and quick-service restaurant franchise businesses, has been working closely with CEDA and city officials the entire duration of the project. The 89-room extended stay hotel, which is located at 351 Welsh Street just off Route 291, features studios and suites. Amenities for guests include a gym, free laundry service and Wi-Fi. The rooms are equipped with full kitchens and offer a comfortable and gracious space not found in the traditional hotel room.
The Candlewood Suites –Chester hotel provides a convenient location just ten minutes away from Philadelphia International Airport and less than 30 minutes from Center City Philadelphia by car and 15 minutes via local train. The hotel is only 5 minutes away from Talen Energy Stadium and Widener University and only two miles away from Harrah’s Casino.
The project was a result of a tri-party agreement between the Chester Water Authority, the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Chester and VB Hospitality LLC. The project was supported by the City of Chester, and includes overflow hotel parking in the adjoining City Hall parking lot.
In addition, the Chester Economic Development Authority (CEDA) provided a low-interest business loan to help with the extensive site preparation work. The Widener Small Business Development Center provided technical assistance for planning and capital acquisition.
ABOUT THE INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL GROUP (IHG):
Candlewood Suites is part of the Intercontinental Hotels Group, which is a global hospitality company with properties located around the world. The IHG family includes; Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Crowne Plaza, Staybridge, and the Intercontinental Hotel.
ABOUT THE CHESTER WATER AUTHORITY (CWA):
The Chester Water Authority is a regional municipal water authority that provides potable water to more than 43,650 direct customers in a service area that spans 33 municipalities including the City of Chester and communities in Delaware and Chester Counties. As a municipal authority, the CWA is able to provide water to customer at rates that are lower than those of private utility companies. The CWA takes pride in the fact that it directs a high percentage of funds into its infrastructure for capital projects and proactive maintenance. To learn more about Chester Water Authority, please visit www.chesterwater.com.
ABOUT THE REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF CHESTER (CRA):
The Chester Redevelopment Authority was established in 2000 under the Pennsylvania State Redevelopment Law. CRA works with CEDA and the City in the administration of redevelopment activities, including but not limited to, the acquisition of real estate for the assemblage of developable sites, negotiation of redeveloper agreements, and disposition of real estate for new developments. CRA also has the power of eminent domain. CEDA staff provide administrative services to CRA through the terms of a Management Agreement.
ABOUT THE CHESTER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (CEDA):
In 1995, the Chester Economic Development Authority (CEDA) was created by the City of Chester to serve as the administrative agent for the City’s economic, housing, and community development programs and activities. In this capacity, the Authority is engaged in an ongoing effort to promote business growth, attract new investment, and develop Chester as a safe, livable, sustainable community.
Through a Cooperation Agreement with the City, the Authority manages several federal programs including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, HOME Investments Partnership (HOME) program and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) program. Decisions on the use of these funds are made by City Council with the Authority handling the program and/or project management. Details on the actual programs and activities carried out with these funds are provided in the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) submitted to HUD on an annual basis.
In addition, CEDA assists the City in the application for and administration of project specific funding requests to federal agencies and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.