The City of Lancaster received a MASC award in 2000, too! Population Category: 5,001-10,000 City of Lancaster Lancaster’s downtown revitalization program concentrated on four main projects: the former City Hall building, the current City Hall building, a downtown streetscape program and Parr Place development. The former City Hall was located in the Springs family house, which was built in 1828. The City purchased the home in 1957 and slightly modified it to accommodate a city hall. When a new city hall was constructed in 1999, the City Council entered into a long-term, no-cost lease with the Lancaster County Council of the Arts to use the Springs House for its headquarters and exhibit hall. The Springs Foundation also is sub-leasing office space there. With their assistance, the house has received substantial renovations and is now a showplace for Lancaster. The new City Hall is downtown and has allowed the City to consolidate the operations of the administrative staff, the Finance Department and the Building Officials Department into one building. This consolidation allows citizens and business people to complete business with the City in a single stop. The new council chambers were designed to accommodate community groups in an effort to attract citizens to the downtown area. The large room has excellent acoustics and movable seating, allowing it to host various events ranging from a regular council meeting to a Council of the Arts concert. A large parking area was renovated between the former City Hall and the new building. A portion is used for employee parking, but the rest is available for customers of the downtown stores. The Streetscape Project included the complete makeover of three blocks in the central business district. The first phase focused on improving the utility systems, such as the stormwater system and the water distribution system. Telephone and power lines were relocated underground, as well. The second phase involved stripping and resurfacing Main Street. This phase also included new street lights, sidewalks, and street furniture that were landscaped and decorated with brick pavers and planted areas. More attractive streetlights were added. Since the Streetscape Project began, several new businesses have opened downtown and merchants have reported increased sales. Future plans call for continuing the enhancements over the entire central business district. The Parr Place is located downtown on Main Street. The Parr Theater and the adjacent Lancaster Bakery building had been demolished leaving a gap in Main Street. The City teamed with a well-known developer to fill the gap with commercial spaces and apartments designed for elderly residents. The location will allow the residents close proximity to the County Council for the Aging, federal/state/local government offices, and nearby shopping at Eckerd and Harris Teeter, as well as the specialty shops in the central business district.
Posted on: Tue, 23 Jul 2013 10:26:46 +0000
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