The 2024 Planning Excellence & Great Places in New Jersey Awards Reception is a special event that highlights the impact of great planning on creating lively, healthy, fair, and sustainable communities in New Jersey. This event will bring people together to celebrate those who contribute to making these communities better.
The awards reception will take place on Thursday, December 12, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the South Orange Performing Arts Center. The address is One SOPAC Way, South Orange, NJ 07079, United States. This three-hour event will give attendees the chance to connect, enjoy the evening, and show appreciation for outstanding achievements in planning.
Attendees can enjoy a selection of seasonal hors d’oeuvres, tasty desserts, and an open bar, all included with the ticket price of $150. The New Jersey Chapter of the American Planning Association is hosting the event and welcomes anyone interested in celebrating these achievements. If you have questions about signing up or sponsoring the event, you can contact Sheena Collum, APA New Jersey Executive Director, at scollum@njplanning.org or 848-932-2817.
During the reception, a number of awards will be given out to honor those who have made a difference:
– **Courtenay D. Mercer, AICP, PP** will receive the Budd Chavooshian Award for Outstanding Professional Planner.
– **Nancy Facey-Blackwood** will be recognized with the Distinguished Civic Leadership Award.
– **Alexander Dougherty, AICP, PP** will be awarded the Distinguished Emerging Planner Award.
– **Tashilee Vazquez** will be honored with the Stuart Meck Distinguished Service Award.
There will also be awards for exceptional projects and plans that have made a positive impact:
– The **Food Security Planning Study in the First Ward, City of Paterson** will receive the Outstanding Plan Award.
– **Orange Crossings** will be celebrated with the Outstanding Implementation Award.
– The **Springwood Avenue Heritage Walk** will be recognized with the Outstanding Community Engagement Award.
– The **Community Voices: A New Vision for Rowan University’s Master Plan** will be given the Outstanding Student Project Award.
The event will also highlight Great Places in New Jersey, celebrating unique and important areas, such as:
– **Downtown Hackensack**, City of Hackensack, Bergen County, recognized as a Great Downtown.
– **Downtown Dunellen**, Borough of Dunellen, Middlesex County, also awarded as a Great Downtown.
– **Musconetcong Island Park** in Franklin Township, Warren County, acknowledged as a Great Public Space.
– **India Square** on Newark Avenue, City of Jersey City, Hudson County, recognized as a Great Street.
This special night will be a wonderful way to celebrate and recognize the hard work of individuals and groups that make New Jersey a great place to live and work.
