2007 ARK AWARD

Lehigh Valley Industrial Park, Inc. (LVIP)

At the fifth annual Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce membership luncheon, Wildlands Conservancy presented its ARK Award to Lehigh Valley Industrial Park, Inc. (LVIP).

Christopher Kocher, president of Wildlands Conservancy, and Wildlands chairman, David Shaffer, presented the award in recognition of the organization’s contribution to the community to LVIP Chairman Jeff Feather. The Chamber luncheon was held on Tuesday, November 6 at Stabler Arena, Lehigh University, Bethlehem.

Nominations are sought every year from individuals and the business community by the Wildlands Conservancy in order to give the ARK Award to a deserving Lehigh Valley business that has combined exceptional business practices with resourceful approaches, resulting in significant protection of the environment, particularly our land and water resources. The ARK Award derives its name from the watercraft – the ark – that first carried coal to market on the Lehigh River in 1820. Arks floated down the river on the surge of water created by an innovative “bear-trap” locking system that significantly contributed to the start of the Lehigh Valley’s own Industrial Revolution 190 years ago.

Lehigh Valley Industrial Park, Inc. was founded in 1959 as a private, non-profit economic development corporation to expand the region’s tax base, create new jobs and diversify the local economy. Still upholding these principles, the company has developed six different industrial parks across the Valley, including the organizations latest initiative, LVIP VII, to redevelop one of the country’s largest brownfield sites.

Beyond working to benefit the local community with their business, LVIP is “going green” with the design of its new headquarters, to be located at the LVIP VII site. President Christopher Kocher praised LVIP, “Redevelopment of the former Bethlehem Steel property utilizes a brownfield site-which constitutes smart growth. In addition, building ‘green’ is a greater way to use resources efficiently while creating healthier buildings that build a better environment, provide cost savings and improve human health. We are encouraged that companies in the Lehigh Valley are engaging in the smart growth and being good stewards of the natural environment.” Kerry Wrobel, LVIP President said, “LVIP is honored to be the 2007 recipient of the Wildlands Conservany’s ARK Award. We appreciate the Conservancy’s recognition of LVIP VII at the Bethlehem Commerce Center as an exemplary project in brownfield redevelopment, and support the organization’s invaluable efforts to conserve our region’s national resources.”

The new LVIP headquarters will utilize environmentally friendly features such as energy-saving lighting and water-saving fixtures. To improve energy efficiency and occupancy comfort, sun shades will be installed on the south façade, the building will be oriented to take advantage of natural daylight, and no toxic paints, adhesives, or sealants will be used on the interior. Additionally, more than 20 percent of building materials will be composed of recycled content.

The ARK Award follows state and national acclaim for the LVIP’s redevelopment of the Bethlehem Steel site. For its efforts in community revitalization and environmental protection, LVIP has been presented the Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence and the EPA’s Phoenix Award in Recognition of Excellence in Brownfield Redevelopment.

Cooperative efforts are also a huge part of the achievements of Wildlands Conservancy whose mission is fulfilled by collaborating with public and private partners throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Air Products has sponsored the ARK Award program for Wildlands Conservancy for six years. While the company would be a worthy candidate for the award itself as a leader in the realm of environmental protection, instead it has generously supported it by acknowledging the contributions of others