Virtually every small town grapples with the issue of parking—specifically the demands for convenient parking in the commercial district.

Oxford Borough Council voted to move forward with a feasibility study to look at the potential for a parking structure in the business district at the Jan. 19 council meeting, the most recent instance that borough officials have discussed the vexing issue of parking.

Working in collaboration with several partners, borough council has retained architectural planner A. Stevens Krug to conduct the feasibility study, which will look at costs and other facets of building a parking garage in the commercial district.

Council president Ron Hershey said that the borough is working closely with Oxford Mainstreet, Inc. (OMI), the Chester County Economic Development Council, and other entities to develop a plan that would provide a long-term solution to the parking issue. State Rep. John Lawrence is also playing a role, including identifying potential funding sources.

“We have been working diligently with OMI and Representative Lawrence,” said Hershey. “We're excited at the possibilities.”

The architectural firm that the borough has retained did similar work in West Chester and Hershey, Pa.

The feasibility study is expected to cost $15,000, with expenses shared by the borough and several of the collaborators.

In other business at the meeting, borough manager Betsy Brantner informed council that the borough has received an $8,000 Automated Red Light Enforcement (ARLE) grant for work on a traffic light.

Sarah Hershey, who has served as the junior council member for the last two years, was presented with a certificate of recognition from the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs (PSAB).

Ed Knittel, the Senior Director of Education and Sustainability for PSAB, made the presentation.

“There are a number of boroughs that have junior council programs, and we have more all the time,” he said. He told Hershey, “We need people like you who are willing to work hard.”

Hershey is the daughter of council president Ron Hershey.