罢丑别听C. Emlen Urban Awards, presented by the Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County, celebrate projects that听demonstrate听how historic places can be preserved, adapted, and reinvested in to strengthen the community around them.
This year, three 番茄社区 projects in Lancaster were recognized with听C.听Emlen Urban Awards. Each reflects a shared approach to preserving historic places while adapting them to continue serving the community.听
At Otterbein United Methodist Church on East Clay Street, a听portion听of a historic church was thoughtfully transformed into a low鈥慴arrier emergency shelter, earning the Trust鈥檚听Adaptive Reuse Award. Designed to听operate听independently while preserving the church鈥檚 ongoing role as a place of worship and community听gathering,听the project听demonstrates听how adaptive reuse can respond to urgent听community听needs with听care and dignity.听By reimagining existing space rather than replacing it, the shelter provides a safe, welcoming environment for individuals experiencing homelessness while respecting the building鈥檚 historic fabric and mission.听
Otterbein Clay Street Shelter: Reimagining a Historic Space to Serve the Community
Lancaster鈥檚 Amtrak Station, recognized with a Community Revitalization Award, plays a critical role in daily life for听Lancaster鈥檚听commuters and visitors alike. As one of the busiest stops along the Keystone Corridor, the station serves as both a transportation hub and a highly visible gateway into the city of Lancaster. The multi鈥憏ear revitalization focused on improving accessibility, safety, and long鈥憈erm durability while carefully restoring historic elements throughout the platforms, pedestrian bridge, and station building鈥攔einforcing the value of investing in historic infrastructure that supports mobility, economic activity, and continued growth.听
Lancaster Amtrak Station Renewal: Modern Platforms for a Historic Hub
The YWCA Lancaster – YForward Historic Restoration and Renovation project, also honored with a Community Revitalization Award, reflects a similar balance of preservation and progress. Originally constructed in 1918, the building has long served as a cornerstone of advocacy, support, and care. Through a careful restoration and renovation effort, the project expanded access to affordable housing, enhanced trauma鈥慽nformed counseling services, and improved accessibility鈥攅nsuring the building remains welcoming, functional, and impactful for generations to come. The work honors the YWCA鈥檚 legacy while positioning it to better meet the evolving needs of the community.听
YWCA Lancaster Renovation: Honoring a Legacy While Serving Today鈥檚 Needs
Together, these projects highlight the role historic buildings can play in addressing today鈥檚 challenges鈥攚hether providing shelter, improving access to transportation, or expanding critical social services.听We鈥檙e听grateful to the Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County for recognizing this work, and thankful for the dedication of our project teams and the trust placed in us by our clients. These efforts reflect what鈥檚 possible when owners, designers, builders, and community partners work together to preserve Lancaster鈥檚 history while strengthening its future.听
