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| 10 Aug 2022 | |
| Climate Action and Leadership |
LANCASTER, PA (August 8, 2022) - 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania is seeking nominations for the 2022 Commonwealth Awards, the signature statewide smart growth and resiliency awards program in Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth Awards celebrate visionary community leadership and catalytic smart growth development projects as well as initiatives that find new uses for underutilized land, breathe new life into old neighborhoods, improve mobility and community resilience, and increase opportunities and access for communities on the rise.
Nominations for the 2022 Commonwealth Awards can be submitted online, now through August 31, 2022, at 10000friends.org/2022commonwealthawards. “Since the program began in 2003,10,000 Friends has recognized over 200 outstanding individuals, organizations and state and local government for their public/private sector development projects and initiatives that exemplify smart growth and contribute to healthy, resilient, and vibrant communities,” shared Stacie Reidenbaugh, president of 10,000 Friends. “We’re excited to recognize great projects across our state that have adapted to the challenges and changes in development and land use from the pandemic and overcome hurdles to reach the finish line. We are proud to share their stories of resilience and success in the hope that it will inspire other communities and developers.”
The 2022 Commonwealth awards event is slated be held on December 15, 2022 at the Energy Innovation Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. New to this year’s program is an award specifically for small, innovative public space projects and programs undertaken by nonprofits that engage communities and demonstrate sustainability and resilience. Award winners will be announced in Fall 2022 and spotlighted at the awards event in December.
Submissions for the Commonwealth Awards are encouraged for both large and small-scale plans and projects, from urban and suburban to rural development and redevelopment projects and municipal plans. Projects and plans should be completed within the last 5 years, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and no later than September 15, 2022. If the project is divided into phases, at least 50% of the total project must be completed.
Key project considerations include:
• Catalytic/transformational community projects with measurable economic impact
• Remediating blight and promoting redevelopment through Infill, Brownfield, Adaptive reuse
• Equitable placemaking • Preserving historic buildings and/or landmarks
• Creating an inclusive sense of place, reflecting the history and cultural identity of the community
• Connectivity with existing development and infrastructure, such as transit-oriented development
• Promoting walkability and street level interaction or activities with vibrant mix of uses
• Expanding housing choices for range of incomes • Increasing access, connectivity and capacity of multimodal transportation options
• Improving resiliency to natural hazards
• Protecting, enhancing or reclaiming open space, farmland, forests, parks, waterways, and critical environmental assets.
Award winners from the 2020-2021 Commonwealth Awards included the Center for Land Use and Sustainability, Shippensburg, PA; Arcadia Land Company for Sadsbury Park in Chester County; Community Strategies Group for the LaSalle Neighborhood Revitalization, Columbia County; RGS Associates for The Wilbur, Lancaster County; and York Fresh Food Farms, York County. A complete list of past award winners can be viewed at 10000friends.org.
About 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania
10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania is the leading statewide bipartisan voice for creating healthy, vibrant and resilient communities across the Commonwealth. Founded in 1998, we engage a multi-disciplinary network of partners to advocate for a balanced approach in public policy and investments to build and sustain strong communities for all Pennsylvanians – in our state’s diverse cities, towns, suburbs, and rural communities. We see diversity, equity, and inclusion as connected to our mission and critical to ensure the well-being of the people and communities we serve. For more information, visit 10000friends.org
