The commonwealth’s leading voice for smart growth, 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania, has honored Bethlehem innovators and projects in the statewide nonprofit’s annual awards program. A mayor, social entrepreneur, planner and developer were recognized for their individual and collaborative efforts of alternative economic development strategies that helped revitalize the deindustrialized city. Also recognized were projects spearheaded by Lehigh University, Moravian College, Bethlehem DOT and others.

“This city has more than its share of visionaries,” said Stacie Reidenbaugh, president and CEO of 10,000 Friends. “On our 20th anniversary, it was 10,000 Friends’ great pleasure to celebrate the extraordinary individuals and development projects that are making Bethlehem a walkable, sustainable, equitable and healthy community.”

The 2018 Commonwealth Awards program, held Dec. 6 at the ArtsQuest Center in Bethlehem, honored these individuals:

• John Callahan, former Mayor of Bethlehem, received the Mark Schneider Friend of Pennsylvania Award.

• Tony Hanna, executive director of the City of Bethlehem Redevelopment Authority, received the Public Sector Excellence Award.

• Michael Perrucci, owner of Peron Development and counsel at Florio Perrucci Steinhardt & Cappelli, received the Louis J. Appell, Jr. Leadership Award.

• Jeffrey Parks, founder of ArtsQuest, received the Joanne Denworth Founders Award.

• Christopher Terlizzi, former treasurer and board member of 10,000 Friends, received the Board of Directors Award.

“Creating great places to live and work is the mission of 10,000 Friends,” said Reidenbaugh. “Beginning with SteelStacks 10 years ago, these projects and others have breathed new life into Bethlehem.”

The winning projects include:

• New Nitschmann MS (Bethlehem Area School District)

• Follett Family Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (Northampton Community College)

• Bethlehem Commerce Center (Lehigh Valley Industrial Park, Majestic Realty, Liberty Property Trust)

• Lehigh Valley Charter HS for the Arts

• Southside Commons (Lehigh University)

• Five10Flats (Peron Development)

• Gateway at Greenway Park (Ion Development Group)

• Commerce Center Boulevard (Northampton County)

• Sally Breidegam Miksiewicz Center for Health Sciences / Moravian Book Shop (Moravian College)

• South Bethlehem Greenway / Bethlehem Skateplaza

• Route 412 Rehabilitation (PennDOT)

• Sands Bethlehem

“Smart growth is more than just smart,” said Reidenbaugh. “It is our only means of guaranteeing that our urban, suburban and rural communities remain livable, prosperous and healthy. Along with affordable housing, public transit, stormwater management – these form the foundation of our Healthy Communities Initiative, and are essential elements of 2018’s winning projects.”

Contributed article