MAYOR STEPHEN REED RECEIVES AWARD FROM THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS OF PENNSYLVANIA (AIA Pennsylvania)
Harrisburg, PA – In a ceremony held today, the American Institute of Architects of Pennsylvania (AIA Pennsylvania) presented Mayor Stephen Reed with its top state award for Contribution to the Profession by a Government Official. The award is given by the AIA Pennsylvania Board of Directors in recognition of significant contributions to, or in particular support of, the role of the architectural profession and/or the built environment. State or local government officials are eligible for the award.
The award was presented at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. City Government Center at 10 N. 2nd Street in Harrisburg by John R. Hill, AIA, Immediate Past President of AIA Pennsylvania, Frank Dittenhafer, FAIA, Chairman of AIA Pennsylvania’s Awards Committee, and James Thompson, AIA, President of the AIA Central Pennsylvania chapter.
"Mayor Reed is being recognized for his leadership in the revitalization of the City of Harrisburg", said John Hill. "In his 26 years as Mayor, he has led a comprehensive revitalization effort that has capitalized on the City’s natural, built and human assets, including reconstruction of city neighborhoods and schools, development of the Harrisburg waterfront, downtown revitalization and the creation of significant tourism attractions."
According to Frank Dittenhafer, "AIA Pennsylvania applauds Mayor Reed for his ability to think long-term and for his enthusiasm and commitment to see his projects through to completion. His work in Harrisburg is particularly important as this is our state’s Capital City and the work done in these 26 years has taken Harrisburg from being the second most distressed city in the nation to today’s position as a nationally recognized, vibrant center for commerce, the arts, history, recreation, and more recently, education."
"I am truly honored to have been chosen for this award," said Mayor Reed. "The redevelopment of the City of Harrisburg has been an extraordinarily arduous process, but is a process that has yielded considerable progress. Its continuance has our unconditional dedication. The real recognition should go to those partners and developers who have joined with the City in recent years to ensure the growth and continued development of the built environment within Harrisburg."
Founded in 1909, AIA Pennsylvania promotes the profession of architecture throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania while striving for the highest quality in the built environment. AIA Pennsylvania has 2,800 members. The American Institute of Architects places a high priority on the revitalization of existing older communities, such as Harrisburg.
Previous recipients of the award include, The Honorable James Creedon, Secretary of the Department of General Services; Bonnie Mark, Pennsylvania Historical & Musuem Commission; and The Honorable Mathew Ryan, former Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
For more information on AIA Pennsylvania, visit their website at www.aiapa.org.
|