Shown above (from left) are: Jonathan Bleuer; Wendy Sylvati; Rick Davis; Melanie Anderson; Justin Steinbach, AICP; Brian Kulpa, AIA; and Joy Kuebler.

Buffalo, NY Clark Patterson Lee (CPL) was recently honored by the Western New York section of the American Planning Association (WNY APA) in the category of Public Outreach for its Living Niawanda project. In addition, senior associate Brian Kulpa, AIA received the 2017 Distinguished Leadership Elected Official award. 

The WNY APA Public Outreach award celebrates how planning improves a community’s quality of life. Each year it’s given to an individual, project or program that uses information and education to create greater awareness among citizens or specific segments of the public.

The Living Niawanda project is a waterfront revitalization program update to the city of Tonawanda’s local planning document. The project made crucial updates to the outdated planning document, which had not been revised since 1991. Unlike the previous program, the update incorporated more of downtown Tonawanda, adjacent neighborhoods that have historically been tied to the waterfront, and additional waterbodies.

Kulpa received the Distinguished Leadership Elected Official award for his long history of commitment to his community.

In addition to currently serving his second term as the mayor of the village of Williamsville, he has also served as trustee and deputy mayor for the municipal office. Through his various roles, Kulpa has been instrumental in the creation and adoption of the village’s Picture Main Street plan.

Kulpa has been with Clark Patterson Lee since 2007, bringing to the team expertise in visitor-driven design and operational experience. He holds a dual Masters in Architecture and Urban Planning, and has participated in various projects, including establishing a grassroots community plan for the city's Upper Westside.

A nonprofit education and membership organization, the WNY APA works to keep the region’s planners connected, engaged, educated and involved in the Western New York community. Members include practicing planners, planning students, elected and appointed officials, planning commissioners, and interested citizens.