Dear Friends:
 
Smart growth is alive and well in Pennsylvania! How do we know? Take a look at the innovative design projects and visionary leaders that were winners in 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania 2009 Commonwealth Awards program. The winning projects, from residential development to public parks, showcase the very best examples of smart growth principles at work in the commonwealth. The Commonwealth Awards for Individuals represent public officials and citizens who are boldly paving the way for sustainable growth in Pennsylvania.
 
We couldn't wait to share these noteworthy examples of great people and places in Pennsylvania with you. Please forward them on to your associates and friends.
 
And... take note of our sponsors for the Commonwealth Awards too- they helped to make the program possible!
 
 Sincerely,
 
Judy Schwank

 

The Commonwealth Awards gold award winner is the project that best exemplifies the planning and development ideals advocated by 10,000 Friends.

 

10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania bestowed the Gold Commonwealth Award for Design to a Lancaster County developer who is creating a walkable community with nearly 500 new residences and a commercial district in the Borough of Mount Joy while preserving nine acres of open space. 

 

Silver award winners incorporated several of these objectives in their design and implementation in a way that is not often seen in Pennsylvania.

 

The revitalization of Schenley Plaza in Pittsburgh sponsored by the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy

 

The Philadelphia Museum of Art for its landscaped parking facility and sculpture garden by Pennoni Associates

 

The Pocono Environmental Education/Visitor Center located in Dingmans Ferry in Pike County by the architectural firm of Bohlin Cynwinski Jackson.

 

 

 

10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania has bestowed its prestigious Commonwealth Award on a state representative who advocated for Pennsylvania's "Elm Street" program and the CEO of a Harrisburg non-profit that has contributed greatly to the capital city's growth.

 

The Commonwealth Award for Contribution by a Public Official was won by

Pennsylvania Representative Robert Freeman, D-Easton. Freeman wrote and sponsored the legislation that established Pennsylvania's "Elm Street" project to revitalize existing neighborhoods and compliment the "Main Street" program that assists older commercial districts. Freeman is also being honored for his 20 year-plus legislative career as a strong advocate of "Smart Growth" policies.

The president and CEO of the Harristown Development Corporation, Russell C. Ford, received the Commonwealth Award for Contribution by a Citizen for his contributions to the development of downtown Harrisburg, as evidenced by numerous new and rehabilitated structures, including the Strawberry Square office tower, the Harrisburg Hilton, the Harrisburg Transportation Center and the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts. Ford, a former city planner, is being honored for his visionary leadership.

 

In addition to selecting Freeman and Ford for the Commonwealth Awards, a five-member panel of the 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania board of directors also recognized two others with special jury presentations:

Becky Bradley, the director of planning for the City of Easton, who is being honored as a public official for a revision of the city's zoning and development ordinances. The new ordinances, developed after a two-year task force led by Bradley, rejects suburban-style development and promotes walkable neighborhoods, mixed use of properties and economic growth.

Christopher Bennick, the CEO of Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley, is being recognized as a citizen for his leadership in acquiring $3 million to purchase 17 acres near the top of South Mountain in Bethlehem. On that site, 27 single homes were constructed at half the market cost thanks to volunteer labor and donated or discounted building materials. In addition, 12 of the 17 acres consisting of wildlife and woods were preserved as open space in the development.

10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania works as an alliance of organizations and individuals committed to promoting land use policies and actions that will enable Pennsylvania to strengthen its diverse urban, suburban and rural communities. Through a diverse coalition focused on a positive agenda, we seek proactive solutions and options for local, regional and state leaders.