Allentown’s PPL Center arena complex, overseen by the
Allentown Neighborhood Improvement Zone Development Authority, was one of seven
regional winners in the Urban Land Institute of Philadelphia’s 2015 Willard G.
“Bill” Rouse III Awards for Excellence on Wednesday night.
Nearly 30 projects from throughout the region, which
includes eastern and central Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Delaware,
were submitted for the awards. Those were narrowed to 15 and the final seven
were announced during the ceremony.
The winning projects – which represent a variety of
project types, including urban mixed-use, historic preservation, adaptive
reuse, multipurpose entertainment and institutional projects – were scored on
use of best practices; quality planning and design; elements that build healthy
places; environmental sustainability and energy reduction; economic success and
market acceptance.
The Allentown complex includes the PPL Center
multipurpose arena and entertainment complex with a fully integrated mixed-use
commercial development, including retail, dining, health and wellness, hotel
and commercial office, within a pedestrian-oriented infill site incorporating
two historic buildings.
Building from recommendations in a 2004 ULI Advisory
Services Panel, the development has been a catalyst for adjacent new
residential and commercial redevelopment and has enhanced the image of
Allentown as the commercial, entertainment and cultural center of the Lehigh
Valley, said the organization.
“This year’s winners and finalists represent some of the
most innovative real estate developments in the region,” said Christopher M.
Hager, chairman of ULI Philadelphia. “The winners both this year and last year
demonstrate how responsible land use has the ability to transform the built
environment into something that revitalizes and reshapes our communities.”
The winners were announced at a celebration attended by
more than 250 land use and real estate professionals.
Source: LVB
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