The Lancaster County Planning Commission (LCPC) held its third annual Leadership Awards Celebration on May 9. Individuals and projects from around Lancaster County were awarded for their understanding and support for good planning, the planning process and places2040, the Lancaster County Comprehensive Plan.

The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Mary Wickenheiser from Columbia Borough. Wickenheiser has provided Columbia Borough with distinguished and committed service for 23 years. She has served on borough council, the planning commission, Columbia River Park Committee, Lancaster County Solid Waste Authority Citizens Advisory Committee, the Safe Harbor Citizens Advisory Committee and the Northwest Lancaster County River Trail Committee.

The Distinguished Service Award was presented to Ray Marvin of Bart Township. Marvin has demonstrated effective leadership and a commitment to consensus building during the creation and adoption of the Southern Lancaster County Comprehensive Plan, which was adopted by nine of the 12 municipalities in the Southern End. Marvin has served as a supervisor for more than 15 years and has held the role of chairman. He became the Bart Township representative on the Southern Lancaster County Inter-Municipal Council and is the vice chairman. Martin also represents the Southern Region on the LCPC.

The LCPC partnered with the Lancaster County Coalition for Smart Growth to present student project awards. The coalition put up the prize money for the awards.

A Leadership Award was presented to fifth-graders at Ephrata Intermediate School for their program Ephrata Eats. Students conducted a survey to identify preferences for a coffee, tea, smoothie or cupcake. Students developed their menu item and created a commercial pitch and video for the new menu item. Selected entries were featured on local restaurants' menus for a set amount of time.

A Leadership Award was presented for the project "A Long Walk to Water," created by 92 third-graders at Clay Elementary School. Students at the school engaged in a unit on the importance of water and the global water crisis. Students developed a simulation of the effort and challenges of those needing water across the globe. A collection of $1,300 was donated to Water for South Sudan, and 72 gallons of water were donated to Ephrata Area Social Services.

A Leadership Award was presented to Lancaster Clean Water Partners for its Clean Water Projects in Pequea Creek Watershed. As part of the projects, four Plain Sect farmers and partners from public, private and nonprofit sectors are collaborating to implement practices that improve the health of both their operation and water quality in a small tributary of Pequea Creek in Paradise Township.

An Achievement Award was presented for the Safe Harbor Bridge Rehabilitation project in Manor Township. Restoration of the 125-foot-high trestle bridge began in 2015 and was finally completed and opened in June 2022. The entire 0.3-mile deck was replaced with 2,170 tons of concrete and wooden side rails at a cost of $9 million. The project was designed to be a showcase bridge with glass deck windows, bird viewing binoculars, an elevated viewing area and a pavilion. The bridge connects the 23-mile Enola Low Grade Rail Trail.

The Quarryville Active Transportation Plan in Quarryville Borough received an Achievement Award. Implementation of the transportation plan will assist the borough in improving its nonmotorized transportation network by developing a system of nonmotorized transportation connections and contributing to a more equitable transportation network for people of all income levels, ages and abilities.

The Lancaster2040 Summit presented by the Lancaster County Coalition for Smart Growth and Tenfold was recognize with an Achievement Award. On March 31, 2022, the summit brought together the business, nonprofit, government and education sectors at Millersville University's Ware Center to discuss Lancaster County's challenges and opportunities. The Lancaster2040: Thinking Beyond Boundaries Summit focused on problem solving while working together to achieve the best for Lancaster.

A Merit Award was presented to the City of Lancaster for its Vision Zero Action Plan. The plan sets goals and defines actions to move Lancaster toward eliminating traffic-related deaths and serious injuries by 2030.

Landis Communities was presented a Merit Award for its Landis Place on King, an innovative project in the heart of Lancaster city. It is a mixed-use building with 79 apartments, 41 interior parking spaces, a restaurant and United Way offices. Located at 239 W. King St., it will provide middle market and affordable housing with services for those age 55 and over. This project will be a nearly $28 million investment in the neighborhood. Landis Communities is also raising money to subsidize 10% of the apartments for long-term affordable housing rents.