NEIGHBORHOOD NOTES 2018 EDITION 3 Unlocking the Future of City Parking MEET LARRY COHEN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, LANCASTER PARKING AUTHORITY MENTION THE WORDS city parking and people usually have a passionate response. Larry Cohen, Executive Director of the Lancaster Parking Authority has heard it all, but spend time with him, and you soon understand that his knowledge of the parking and transportation industry is a real asset for the City. To ensure healthy economic growth the Parking Authority is conducting a study to inventory current and potential parking spaces. This includes looking at things like church and business parking lots and streets where cars can only park on one side. Hopefully this study will give us an He has experience running his own parking business in Philadelphia and was parking director at several major university hospitals before coming to Lancaster. His vast knowledge of the industry commands an international following. Eight years ago, my peers asked why I would want to work in Lancaster, but I fell in love with the idea that everyone here was headed in the same direction and I wanted to be a part of it, said Cohen. The Lancaster City Alliance works with Larry on the City s Building On Strength Community and Economic Development Plan because effective parking relates to the City s success. It plays a role in large events and supports the future and current needs of residents, visitors, and businesses located in the City. Larry J. Cohen, CAPP, Executive Director Lancaster Parking Authority overall look at City parking to ensure we are using all available spaces, said Cohen. Continued >
LANCASTER PARKING AUTHORITY ENHANCEMENT PROJECT Continued The study targets downtown Lancaster, neighborhoods, including SoWe and the southeast, and New Holland Avenue. A consultant will conduct an inventory of public and private spaces and consider future impacts on parking and transportation, such as car share services, automated vehicles, street improvements, and development activities. The work will be led by the Parking Authority, but is in partnership with the Lancaster City Alliance, City of Lancaster, and the SoWe Neighborhood Board. The study focuses on areas of the City where residents may have to park several blocks from their home and where businesses are reluctant to locate because there is no place for their employees to park, said Jeremy Young, Community and Economic Development Manager for the Lancaster City Alliance. We hope the study results will provide the insight we need to come up with innovative ways to support resident and business parking needs, said Young. 1 2 Fast Facts from Larry Cohen PARKING ENFORCEMENT IS ONLY 20-25% OF WHAT LPA DOES EACH DAY. PARKING ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS FOLLOW A FIXED ROUTE EACH DAY, THEY HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING HOW LONG A METER HAS BEEN EXPIRED OR HOW CLOSE YOU ARE TO RETURNING TO YOUR CAR. AFTER Block enhancements include: A tree for the front of your home A trash can for the sidewalk Improvements to the front of homes Become an Adopt-A-Block volunteer 3 4 5 6 2 STREET CLEANING IS REQUIRED BY LAW TO HELP KEEP OUR WATERWAYS CLEAN. CARS ONLY NEED TO BE MOVED TWO TIMES A MONTH FOR THREE TO FOUR HOURS AT A TIME SO THAT STREET SWEEPERS CAN DO THEIR JOB. THE LANCASTER PARKING AUTHORITY IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION, MEANING THAT REVENUE COLLECTED FROM TICKETS MOSTLY GOES TO THE CITY. OTHER REVENUES SUPPORT THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT TO MAINTAIN GARAGES AND OTHER UPGRADES. USE THE PARK LANCASTER OR PARKMOBILE APP FOR ON STREET PARKING IT IS AN EASY WAY TO PAY FOR PARKING AND HELPS ENSURE YOU DON T RUN OUT OF TIME (UP TO TWO HOURS, AS PER CITY ORDINANCE). ASSIST SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS BY PARKING IN A GARAGE IF YOU PLAN TO PARK LONGER THAN TWO HOURS. TURNOVER HELPS OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES BY HAVING SPACES OPEN IN FRONT OF THEIR ESTABLISHMENT. For more information, contact Lancaster Parking Authority at 717.299.0907 BEFORE South Prince & South Queen Street Enhancement Project Progress LANCASTER CITY ALLIANCE secured money through the High Family Foundation to pay for enhancements on S. Prince and S. Queen Streets. The project addresses needs expressed by residents and property owners in this area to assist with neighborhood advancements. Opportunities available to neighbors on S. Prince and S. Queen include sidewalk trees and trash cans, grants for improvements to the front of properties, and becoming an Adopt-A-Block volunteer. We look forward to continued partnerships with residents, and property and business owners in the S. Prince and S. Queen areas of the City. You may hear from us by phone, mail, or even a friendly knock on your door. We may ask if you are interested in a tree, signing up for Adopt-A-Block, or check if you are eligible for improvements to the front of your home or business. If you are in this area and are interested, please contact Lancaster City Alliance at 717.394.0783 or info@teamlanc.org. 3
LANCASTER CITY ALLIANCE BRANDING REFRESH STAFF INTERVIEW Staff Interview: Shelby Nauman VICE PRESIDENT Lancaster City Alliance Vice President talks about the importance of having a walkable and bikeable city. The updated Lancaster City Alliance logo is a nod to sidewalk stenciling and the City Quadrants are tilted playfully to match the angle of Lancaster City on a map. Lancaster City Alliance unveils a new look AS WE CELEBRATE FIVE YEARS as an organization, Lancaster City Alliance is proud to unveil an updated logo to reflect our work across the City. You may also be used to seeing our logo on sidewalk trash receptacles, our ambassador uniforms, and around town at events. The old logo may be around for a while, as a nonprofit, we need to be thoughtful about how we spend our money. We will transition to the new look as time and money allows. It is an exciting time to be a part of Lancaster City and we hope our new look serves as a reminder that we are here to engage each Lancaster community so that together, we can thrive. 4 WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO INCREASE WALKABILITY AND BIKEABILITY? Seventy percent of our car trips are under two miles, if we choose to walk and bike more, think of the impact we would have on traffic congestion and the environmental benefits. Stakeholders across the City are looking to make Lancaster a place where you can walk and bike with ease. HOW IS LANCASTER CITY ALLIANCE WORKING TO MAKE THESE CHANGES? Lancaster City Alliance is an active participant in the Lancaster Bikes Coalition. We also advocate for walkability and bikeability as a strategy to increase quality of life and mobility. We work closely with city government to help facilitate their bike infrastructure plan, host neighborhood meetings to discuss projects, such as converting one-way streets back to the safer two-way streets. We also collaborate with The Common Wheel to ensure our bike ambassadors are trained properly and modeling bike safety and proper road etiquette. WHAT CHANGES HAVE TAKEN PLACE AROUND THE CITY THAT RESIDENTS WILL NOTICE? The bike share stations have been a great addition, allowing people an affordable and fun way to get around, shop, and sightsee. People may have seen the on-road markers showing a bicycle, they are called sharrows, and indicate that it is a shared roadway. HOW CAN THE PUBLIC GET INVOLVED? Walk and bike more! Biking is a great way to create a friendlier community and slow traffic. When you are on a bike, you can make eye contact and say hello. Bikes also keep traffic moving at a lower intended speed of 25 mph more comfortably than if there were a bunch of cars speeding around the City. I think our City is ready for some resident driven projects to start pushing the balance back in favor of bikes and walkers - it will improve our health, air quality, and overall community culture. WHO CAN THEY CONTACT IF THEY ARE INTERESTED IN IMPROVING WALKABILITY AND BIKEABILITY IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD? You can contact the Lancaster City Alliance at 717.394.0783 or email at info@teamlanc.org, ask for Shelby. I can help route your question, idea, or concerns to the right person. Shelby Nauman, Lancaster City Alliance Vice President 5
SHOP SMALL LANCASTER / MERCHANT MILESTONES THANK YOU FROM THE TEAM Tell us Your Shop Small Lancaster Story FOLLOW THE LANCASTER CITY ALLIANCE on social media and catch some of your favorite Lancaster celebrities sharing their Shop Small Lancaster stories. In a series of short videos, locals who love Lancaster will share their favorite things about shopping and dining in the City. The videos are part of the November 24 Small Business Saturday promotion where shoppers are encouraged to experience the unique and exciting ways Lancaster merchants make the holidays special. Help us celebrate our 300+ locally owned merchants, restaurants, and cultural hotspots on Small Business Saturday and throughout the year. The Lancaster City Alliance Team, Left to Right: Colleen, Kathlene, Dave, Lori, Anne, Marshall, Jeremy, Shelby, and Lisa. Thank you for your support! City business owners display their Milestone Awards at a recent Merchant Meeting hosted by the Lancaster City Alliance and the Downtown Investment District Merchant Milestones THE LANCASTER CITY ALLIANCE in partnership with the Downtown Investment District recently recognized 28 city merchants in business from one to 30 years. Those receiving the awards represent the eclectic and exciting restaurant, retail, and cultural experience that has garnered Lancaster several recent national recognitions. Special recognition to Mulberry Art Studios for 30 years in business. Congratulations to the merchants for their creativity, passion, and dedication to making Lancaster a place for all to enjoy and experience, said Marshall W. Snively, President, Lancaster City Alliance. Our community benefits from all that you offer and we are honored to recognize your efforts, said Snively. 6 DID YOU KNOW that the Lancaster City Alliance is a small non-profit that cultivates partnerships with residents, small and large businesses, local communities, education, non-profits, and government to ensure Lancaster is a clean, safe, and vibrant City for all. Help us continue the momentum in Lancaster and show your support of the Lancaster City Alliance at the November 16 Extraordinary Give. Find us on the donor portal at extragive.org and give what you can. We are grateful for your support. Sincerely, THE LANCASTER CITY ALLIANCE TEAM 7
The Lancaster City Alliance welcomes our new Executive Leadership Team Members: MARKETING EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM Brett Smith, Providence Engineering COMMUNITY SAFETY EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM Patrick Egan, Select Security Matt Johnson, City of Lancaster Jake Thorsen, SoWe Neighborhood, LHOP Party on Lancaster! Timbrel Chyatee, left, founder and designer of Lush Bazaar was featured as an emerging designer at the VeloCity fashion show. THE LANCASTER CITY ALLIANCE fundraiser, VeloCity, Celebrating a City Moving Forward was a success! Thank you to our volunteer planning committee for your time and dedication. Thank you to the merchants and restaurants who support the event with fantastic food and gifts, and the arts community who wow us with your creative talent. Thank you to the bartenders whose efforts make the cocktail competition unforgettable and to the boutiques whose fashion show is, oh so much fun! Congratulations to Jimmy Vega, of 551 West who took home the VeloCity Cocktail Competition Trophy for the Don t be SOUR be HEMPpy cocktail, now the Official Cocktail of Lancaster. LIKE WHAT YOU SEE? Visit lancastercityalliance.org to donate, volunteer, or join our mailing list. 115 East King Street Lancaster, PA 17602 T 717.394.0783 F 717.394.0784 Info@TeamLanc.org LancasterCityAlliance.org