Listening to Lancaster

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 John Gerdy, founder and executive director of Music for Everyone, to discuss his new book “Lights on Lancaster: How One American City Harnesses the Power of the Arts to Transform its Communities.” John discusses how pivotal investments in the arts have transformed Lancaster City, the arts’ role in education, healing, and creativity, and how we can ensure the arts remain vibrant in our community well into the future.

Learn more about John Gerdy, and find a copy of the book at https://johngerdy.com/.

For this episode of Listening to Lancaster Hourglass was joined by local architect and C. Emlen Urban expert Gregory Scott. Gregg is a partner emeritus at RLPS Architects and regularly writes for Lancaster Newspapers about Lancaster’s rich architecture. This fall Gregg is publishing the first hardcover book ever written about Lancaster’s most notable architect C. Emlen Urban. That book, entitled Urban Legend, will highlight 25 of Urban’s projects through beautiful photography and bring to life both the many architectural styles he worked in and the people behind them who commissioned the projects. Learn more about Urban Legend and preorder your copy at https://www.egganddartbooks.com/.

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 President Bryon Grigsby from Moravian University. Moravian University recently opened a Lancaster campus at the historic Lancaster Theological Seminary site in downtown Lancaster. Their Lancaster campus focuses on adult degree completion programs, online graduate business programs, and customized education partnerships with local businesses. Learn more about Moravian University’s new Lancaster campus at https://www.moravian.edu/lancaster.