Congratulations to the 2018 NY Upstate Chapter APA Award Winners!

In October, at the Annual Conference held in Ithaca, New York, the New York Upstate Chapter of the American Planning Association recognized a series of projects and one individual in its 2018 Professional Awards Program.

These awards recognize outstanding contributions to the field of city, town, and regional planning.  The Professional Awards program recognized outstanding submissions in the following areas: comprehensive planning, best practice, implementation, public outreach, distinguished leadership, and Great Places in Upstate New York.

"The Upstate Chapter Awards Program has been a centerpiece of our Annual Conferences for years and once again we were thrilled to present our membership with 12 exemplary examples of recent projects completed by Chapter Members that are bringing about positive change and benefits for residents of Upstate New York."

“The Professional Awards celebrate the hard and rewarding work that our colleagues do each day,” said Sean Maguire, AICP.  Maguire, Vice President of the Chapter and Chair of the Awards Committee said that this year’s program is particularly exciting as it launches some changes that allow the association to focus more on recognizing outstanding work for its merits.  “We’re really pleased to highlight these projects and there is no better time to do so than at our conference and doubly so during National Community Planning Month.”

The projects and individual recognized include:

• Best Practice

  • Shelton Square Erie Street Greenway – City of Buffalo, New York

  • Moving Forward 2050 – Greater Buffalo-Niagara Regional Transportation Council

  • Rensselaer County Hudson River Access Plan

  • Complete Streets Prioritization Tool for Quebec City

  • Rensselaer County Land Conservation Plan

  • Downtown Albany:  A Background Study (Outstanding Student Project)

• Public Outreach

  • Reimagine RTS, Monroe County

  • Village Vision – Village of Menands, New York (Outstanding Student Project)

• Implementation

  • Schuyler County NYSERDA Comprehensive Planning Project

• Comprehensive Planning

  • Village of Lakewood Comprehensive Plan

  • Niagara Waterfront Opportunity Area – City of Niagara Falls, New York

• Great Places in Upstate New York

  • Charles R. Wood Park – Lake George, New York

• Distinguished Leadership:  Upstate Fellow

  • John E. Steinmetz, AICP

The American Planning Association provides leadership in the development of vital communities by advocating excellence in planning, promoting education and citizen empowerment, and providing our members with the tools and support necessary to meet the challenges of growth and change.  The New York Upstate Chapter of the American Association advances the work of the national organization in 48 counties north of the New York City metropolitan region.