Morrisville Borough Council is now investing in ways to see if its’ riverfront between Bridge Street and Post Road can be leveraged for economic expansion just like Bristol Borough has done in recent years.
Council approved a feasibility study to be done of the Delaware River to assess whether a day dock could be constructed and installed. They also approved a Bucks County Planning Commission proposal to prepare zoning recommendations for various properties along the Delaware River from Bridge Street to the Falls Township/Morrisville Borough border.
The approvals come on the heels of additional efforts to stimulate the boroughs economic base approved last month with planned work scheduled for next spring.
Inspired by the overhaul of Mill Street and the installation of docks on the Bristol Borough waterfront, Council President Helen Hlahol said, Morrisville making an investment in trying to replicate Bristol’s success is something worth looking into. Interim Borough Manager Jim Dillon is/was an integral part of that work as he oversaw it from its beginnings with it continuation presently as Bristol continues its waterfront expansion efforts.
Hlahol asked aloud “what’s wrong with Morrisville” looking into moving in the same direction.
Officials said the ST Hudson, the firm responsible for the survey of the Bristol Borough docks, will be surveying the area from Bridge Street down to Post Road. to determine if building docks could be become a reality as opposed to just an idea in the area.
Hlahol did say the study may show installing day docks is not feasible but at a cost of $8000.00 finding the answer to the question would be a worthy investment.
Bristol Borough Docks installed in 2025 on the Delaware River
Credit: Jeff Bohen Lower Bucks Source
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ST Hudson, which has just under 60 years of experience with providing marine related services, has experience, depth and breadth in these types of projects. The survey will include ST Hudson staff going on the river during high tide and assess depth numbers to the bottom of the river, said the Borough Engineer, Gilmore and Associates.
“We might spend the money and nothing will come of it but then we’ll know so if we ever wanted to do plans of any kind down south we’ll know,” said Hlahol.
As part of the the riverfront effort, the Bucks County Planning Commission will begin to assess the zoning for the several properties that are along the Delaware from Route 1 down to Post Road. The plan is to review those areas and recommend the zoning whether it be residential or commercial. The cost to Morrisville is not to exceed $5, 000, officials said.
There was a time when the borough could not afford to make such investments. Officials, as part of a a financial review, said the borough ran deficits consistently and as a result an EIT was enacted to recapture funds the borough was/is entitled to in 2022.
Morrisville officials have noted privately and publicly that council and administration are now working hand in hand towards a makeover of the historic area that will bring visitors and thus tax dollars.
The planning commission would coordinate with Morrisville officials and staff on the project and provide a written report of the zoning evaluation and recommendations, Borough Engineer Kurt Schroeder, said not long after the work was completed.
View of Morrisville Borough from Calhoun St Bridge – New Jersey Side Credit: Jeff Bohen Lower Bucks Source
Editor’s Note: Publisher Jeff Bohen contributed historical information to this report.
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