Lancaster City Alliance

TO IMPROVE AND ENHANCE THE CITY OF LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA.

ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FOCUSES ON THE CONTINUED INVESTMENT IN ALL AREAS OF THE CITY, CREATING JOB GROWTH, AN INCREASED TAX BASE, AN ENHANCED QUALITY OF LIFE FOR CITY RESIDENTS, AND STRENGTHENING THE NEIGHBORHOODS OF THE CITY OF LANCASTER. THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH MANY STRONG PARTNERSHIPS WITH RESIDENTS, SMALL BUSINESSES, GRASSROOTS COMMUNITY GROUPS, NON-PROFITS, SCHOOLS, AND MUNICIPALITIES. LANCASTER CITY ALLIANCE CONTINUES A PARTNERSHIP WITH SEVERAL ORGANIZATIONS TO ENHANCE QUALITY OF LIFE IN ALL QUADRANTS OF THE CITY. THIS INCLUDED SECURING SIGNIFICANT FUNDING FOR FACADE IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS, TRASH RECEPTACLES AND TREES IN SEVERAL SOUTH LANCASTER NEIGHBORHOODS. DURING THE YEAR 21/22, LANCASTER CITY ALLIANCE CONTINUED MANAGING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CITY'S 15-YEAR COMMUNITY OWNED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIC PLAN KNOWN AS BUILDING ON STRENGTH. THIS PLAN IS A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO STRENGTHENING THE ECONOMY OF THE CITY OF LANCASTER THROUGH TRADITIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INVESTMENT, CULTIVATING ENTREPRENEURS, MARKETING LANCASTER CITY, AND REINFORCING COMMERCIAL HUBS.ALSO, DURING YEAR 21/22, LANCASTER CITY ALLIANCE ASSUMED MANAGEMENT OF LANCASTER'S CITY REVITALIZATION AND INVESTMENT ZONE (CRIZ) AUTHORITY, A PROGRAM TO ENCOURAGE DEVELOPMENT AND REVITALIZATION IN LANCASTER CITY. THE CRIZ IS APPROXIMATELY 130 ACRES IN DOWNTOWN LANCASTER AND IN SELECTED AREAS IN THE REMAINING PARTS OF THE CITY. THE CRIZ PROGRAM WORKS BY ALLOWING CERTAIN STATE AND LOCAL TAXES TO BE PROVIDED TO THE CRIZ AREAS TO HELP FINANCE REDEVELOPMENT AND NEW CONSTRUCTION OPPORTUNITIES. THE FOCUS OF THE LANCASTER CRIZ PROGRAM IS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF VACANT AND UNDERUTILIZED PROPERTIES WITHIN THE CITY. IN OUR FIRST YEAR MANAGING THE CRIZ, MORE THAN $7.8 MILLION IN 2020 STATE AND LOCAL TAX REVENUES WERE RETURNED TO THE CRIZ DISTRICT TO SUPPORT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.

QUALITY OF LIFE" IS CARRIED OUT BY A TEAM OF PERSONNEL TRAINED IN PUBLIC SAFETY AND CUSTOMER SERVICE. THEY CONSIST OF MEN AND WOMEN WHO OFTEN RIDE BICYCLES OR WALK IN THEIR DESIGNATED COVERAGE AREA IN THE CITY OF LANCASTER. WE REFER TO THEM AS LCA AMBASSADORS AND CLEAN TEAM. THEIR ACTIVITIES INCLUDE ADDRESSING ISSUES THROUGH REPORTS TO LANCASTER CITY PUBLIC WORKS, HOUSING AND SWEEP DEPARTMENTS; REPORTING BROKEN STREETLIGHTS; REPORTING EXCESSIVE TRASH INCIDENTS; REMOVAL OF GRAFFITI TAGS FROM PUBLIC SPACES; AND CONTACT WITH CITY RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES TO PROVIDE HELP WHEN NEEDED. THE TEAM ALSO PROVIDES SIDEWALK SWEEPING AND SUPPLEMENTAL CLEANING SERVICES TO THE RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA.IN YEAR 21/22, WE CREATED A NEW OUTREACH SPECIALIST POSITION THAT WORKS CLOSELY WITH OTHER SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY PARTNERS TO ENGAGE WITH THOSE IN NEED AND/OR EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS TO CONNECT THEM TO LIFE CHANGING ASSISTANCE. OVER THIS PAST YEAR, THE OUTREACH SPECIALIST HAS INTERACTED WITH OVER 450 INDIVIDUALS AND CONNECTED OVER HALF OF THEM WITH NEEDED SERVICES LIKE SUBSTANCE ABUSE, AVAILABLE SHELTER, COVID-19 VACCINE LOCATIONS, FOOD, AND CLOTHING ASSISTANCE.