LOWER MERION – Lower Merion officials announced they were among four townships to receive an award from the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Commissioners (PSATC) at its annual dinner for its first-ever Impact Awards.
Lower Merion received the Smart Growth, Zoning & Land Use Innovation Award for the Ardmore House II Senior Affordable Housing project.
“First Class Townships are all facing similar challenges and these awards bring success stories to the forefront,” said Liz McNaney, Vice President of PSATC. “We hope these awards will inspire commissioners, so they can bring back new ideas and ways to implement them in their own townships.”
According to a PSATC press release, the awards honor what they described as the excellence of First Class Townships. The Impact Awards recognize innovation, leadership, and measurable results achieved by PSATC member townships.
“Facing an ongoing affordable housing shortage, Lower Merion Township partnered with Genesis Housing Corporation and HumanGood East to transform an underutilized municipal parking lot into a four-story, 48-unit affordable senior housing development,” according to PSATC’s press release. “Ardmore House II provides housing for seniors across income levels from 20% to 60% Area Median Income (AMI), including six ADA-accessible units and two units designed for residents with hearing and vision impairments.
“The project demonstrates significant public value by leveraging a municipal asset to deliver a community benefit without purchasing additional land or assuming long-term operating costs. It secured approximately $13.2 million in Low-Income Housing Tax Credit equity through the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA), supplemented by $1.7 million from the Township and $5 million from Montgomery County. The Township retained ownership through a long-term ground lease while transferring construction, facility and maintenance responsibilities to the development partner.”
Jeremiah Woodring, vice president of the Lower Merion Board of Commissioners, spoke about the award during recent committee meetings.
“While there’s some credit to give to existing and former commissioners, this award particularly highlights the hard work of our township staff and partners,” Woodring said. “And a project like Armore House II doesn’t necessarily happen overnight. It took years of planning, coordination with many partners, and a staff willing to make or to work through every obstacle along the way. Our staff brought expertise, persistence, and genuine care to the community at every stage. And the result is something that residents should be proud of for years to come. So this recognition from our peers across the Commonwealth confirms what many of us already know that Lower Merion is fortunate to have some of the most talented and dedicated public servants from across the state. So it was an honor for me to go and accept this award on behalf of the township, but I’m a mere courier, and look forward to bringing this award home to the staff.”