10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania will honor Smart Growth Projects Revitalizing York with the Commonwealth Award and Royal Square Development and Construction, Inc. with the inaugural Louis J. Appel, Jr. Leadership Award at a special awards program December 7 at The Bond, 134 E. King Street in York.

The Commonwealth Awards is 10,000 Friends' signature program recognizing great development projects and initiatives and the people and organizations that make them happen.  It is the only statewide smart growth award program in Pennsylvania and reflects 10,000 Friends' commitment to improving the quality of life for all Pennsylvanians.

It has become clear to the Board of 10,000 Friends that the combined commitment of enlightened local developers, architects, planners, and civic leaders, along with the support of key community partners and the City of York, has led to an emerging renaissance of York that is both reenergizing the downtown and addressing important neighborhood and community needs. 

10,000 Friends is delighted to recognize this collective effort and honor key players, projects, and initiatives that have made significant contributions to York's emerging renaissance.

This year's Commonwealth Awards will honor Royal Square Development and Construction, Inc. as the recipient of the inaugural Louis J. Appell, Jr. Leadership Award and also bestow Commonwealth Awards to leading private sector companies and nonprofit institutions, including Think Loud Development, York College, One West, Keystone Color Works, and Better York, among many others, whose projects and initiatives have made outstanding contributions to the City of York.

Louis J. Appell, Jr., beloved business leader, civic visionary, and philanthropist.  Preferring to work behind the scenes, Mr. Appell's quiet leadership, vision, and financial contributions to the City of York and state of Pennsylvania were well known in many circles, if not often publicly celebrated in his lifetime. 

Mr. Appell deeply believed in the mission and smart growth vision of 10,000 Friends - and was its largest private benefactor over many years. 

In 2006, 10,000 Friends honored Mr. Appell, a former 10,000 Friends board member, with its lifetime achievement award known as the "Friend of Pennsylvania Award."

As chairman of Susquehanna Pfaltzgraff Co., Mr. Appell led by personal example through his corporate leadership in downtown York, and his generous personal investment in the York community.

For more information on the program and sponsorship information, visit the Commonwealth Awards webpage.

More information on the programs, initiatives and other upcoming events is available at the 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania website.

(Photo: Think Loud Development office complex in York once occupied by Maple Press.)

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