Listening to Lancaster

For this episode of Listening to Lancaster, Hourglass was joined by Mike McKenna of Lancaster Housing Works. As an independent 501(c)3 launched in 2024 under the High Foundation, Lancaster Housing Works is one piece of the High Foundation’s new strategic plan. In this episode, Mike shares more about the structure of the initiative, who it impacts, and how it’s being funded.

For this episode of Listening to Lancaster Hourglass was joined by Chad Martin, Executive Director of Chestnut Housing, a nonprofit that provides affordable rental housing to people experiencing homelessness. In this conversation we discuss Chestnut Housing’s newest endeavors, including the redevelopment of the former Strawberry Hill Restaurant, housing policy reform, and the “YIGBY” movement (Yes In God’s Backyard). Listen for more!

Learn more about Chestnut Housing at www.chestnuthousing.org or contact Chad Martin at chad@chestnuthousing.org.

For this episode of Listening to Lancaster Hourglass was joined by Cindy McCormick, Deputy Director of Engineering for the City of Lancaster. The City recently received a $12.7 million Safe Streets for All Grant to implement its Vision Zero strategy, which is the City’s goal to eliminate traffic-related deaths and serious injuries by 2030. Tune in to learn where crashes are happening in the city, who they are impacting, and what is being done to make our streets safer.

For this episode of Listening to Lancaster Hourglass was joined by Kate Austin, Green Infrastructure Asset Coordinator for the City of Lancaster. Lancaster City created a 25-year Green Infrastructure Plan in 2011 to help reduce pollution from its combined sewer system overflows. Today the city has more than 70 green infrastructure projects that manage 50 million gallons of stormwater annually, with a goal of ultimately managing 80 million gallons. Learn more from Kate about local examples of green infrastructure, how they are helping the city meet a Consent Decree with the EPA, and what the future has in store for Lancaster City’s green infrastructure.

For this episode of Listening to Lancaster Hourglass was joined by Cody Kiefer, the new Urban Forester for the City of Lancaster. Lancaster’s urban forest includes trees in public areas and on private property, including along its streets, in its parks and open spaces, in backyards, and on the grounds of commercial and institutional establishments. These trees provide many benefits, including ecosystem services that are important for the City to meet the EPA’s mandate to reduce combined sewer overflows. Cody is currently inventorying the City’s trees (there are 11,500 in public spaces alone!), developing a master plan, and working on some exciting initiatives for the future.

For this episode of Listening to Lancaster Hourglass was joined by Todd Roy, President of the Conestoga River Club. Todd gave us the scoop on the new Conestoga Water Trail Rehabilitation Plan, a study and comprehensive planning effort for environmental and recreational improvements along 30 miles of the Conestoga stretching from Brownstown to Safe Harbor.