Organization: 10000 FRIENDS OF PENNSYLVANIA
Mission: 10,000 FRIENDS OF PENNSYLVANIA IS THE LEADING STATEWIDE ADVOCATE FOR COMMUNITY RESILIENCE AND SMART GROWTH, RESPONSIBLE AND EFFICIENT LAND USE, AND PARTNER FOR GREAT PLACES TO LIVE AND WORK. WE WORK WITH CITIZENS, ORGANIZATIONS, AND PUBLIC OFFICIALS TO CREATE LAND USE, INFRASTRUCTURE, DEVELOPMENT, AND GOVERNANCE POLICIES AND PROJECTS THAT STRENGTHEN OUR ECONOMY, PROTECT OUR RESOURCES, AND BUILD HEALTHY AND WALKABLE COMMUNITIES FOR ALL.
Activities: BUILDING HEALTHY AND SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES10,000 FRIENDS IS IMPLEMENTING A COLLABORATIVE PROGRAM MODEL TO DIRECTLY HELP COMMUNITIES IMPLEMENT THEIR STRATEGIC PROJECTS. BASED ON THE RESEARCH OF DR. RICHARD JACKSON, A LEADING PROPONENT OF THE IMPORTANCE OF REDEVELOPING THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT SO THAT COMMUNITIES CAN BE INHERENTLY HEALTHIER PLACES TO LIVE AND WORK, 10,000 FRIENDS WORKS WITH THE MUNICIPALITY, LAND BANK, AND NEIGHBORHOOD AGENCIES TO DEVELOP A FOCUSED REDEVELOPMENT PLAN ON THE NEIGHBORHOOD LEVEL FOR ELIMINATING BLIGHT, IMPROVING HEALTHY HOUSING CONDITIONS, BOOSTING SMALL BUSINESS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND INCREASING WALKABILITY AND HEALTHY LIFESTYLES THROUGH ADDITIONAL GREEN SPACE, ACCESS TO FRESH PRODUCE, AND ACCESS TO TRAILS AND MULTI-MODAL TRANSPORTATION.
ENCOURAGING SMART GROWTH DEVELOPMENT THROUGH INNOVATION AND COMMUNICATION- THE COMMONWEALTH AWARDS - 10,000 FRIENDS ANNUALLY ORGANIZES ITS COMMONWEALTH AWARDS PROGRAM. THIS COMPETITIVE, JURY FACILITATED AWARDS PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS THE BEST EXAMPLES OF SMART GROWTH PRINCIPLES AMONG REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT, LAND USE PLANNING, AND PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS FROM AROUND THE STATE. THE EVENT BRINGS TOGETHER A CRITICAL MASS OF SUCCESSFUL REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS, ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS, PLANNERS AND CIVIC LEADERSHIP FROM THE PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTORS WITH EXPERIENCE IN SUSTAINABLE REDEVELOPMENT, HISTORIC PRESERVATION, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND INNOVATION IN HEALTHCARE AND EDUCATION SUCCEEDED. THE RECOGNITION OF THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN SMART GROWTH CREATES A GROUNDSWELL OF LOCAL SUPPORT AND CIVIC PRIDE IN THE PROJECTS AND INITIATIVES REVITALIZING A MORE SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY.
LAND USE AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES OF STATEWIDE SIGNIFICANCE: URBAN GREENINGMANY OF PENNSYLVANIA'S OLDER DOWNTOWN AREAS AND TRADITIONAL NEIGHBORHOODS HAVE ACCESS TO QUALITY BUILDING STOCK, PUBLIC LANDS, ANCHOR INSTITUTIONS, AND PUBLIC TRANSIT SERVICE. THE CHALLENGE THAT THESE AREAS OFTEN FACE IS THEIR LACK OF ACCESS TO TECHNICAL CAPACITY AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO LEVERAGE THESE ASSETS IN A COORDINATED AND THOUGHTFUL WAY. IN WORKING WITH LOCAL COMMUNITIES, 10,000 FRIENDS MAINTAINS THAT THE LOGICAL PLACE TO JUMP START REDEVELOPMENT IS TO FOCUS ON THE COMMUNITY-BASED ASSETS THAT ARE PUBLICLY OWNED, WHICH LEND THEMSELVES EASILY TO GREENSPACE AND GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS.
NTEE category: Community Improvement & Capacity Building
Secondary category: Housing & Shelter