Lakes Region Mental Health Center - Laconia, NH

Concord, NH At its annual awards evening, held this year on June 28 at the Capital Commons building, Plan NH revealed this year’s Merit Award projects.  The projects were selected from a field of nominations by a jury of diverse professionals within the planning, design and development industries.

The Merit Awards program recognizes outstanding building projects that embody Smart Growth principles, social responsibility and/or outstanding cooperation or collaboration. These projects also demonstrate how what we build, where we build and how can have an influence on the health and vibrancy of a community.

“It is coincidental that each of these this year is an historic preservation project,” said Robin LeBlanc, Plan NH executive director. Each underscores the impact that a building project can have on its community.  Moreover, they each clearly show that when decisions are made around building something (or, in these cases, rehabilitating), it is not just about the economic bottom line, but the social and environmental, too.  Financial investments are really about long-term social and community impacts (which we want to be positive!).”

Recipients include: 

• The Franklin Light & Power Mill.  CATCH Neighborhood Housing, Owner 

• Lakes Region Mental Health Center (Laconia)

• Frank Jones Brew Yard: Brew House & 1884 House (Portsmouth) 

• Village Common Covered Bridge (Wentworth)

• Florence Rideout Elementary School – Addition and Renovations (Wilton).

Plan NH is an independent organization with a mission to “foster excellence in planning, design and development of New Hampshire’s built environment.”   Through workshops, newsletters and more, Plan NH raises awareness of the impact of the built environment and community design on the health and vibrancy of towns and neighborhoods