A Message from Mayor Gray

An old African proverb advises, “A man who doesn’t know where he wants to go, doesn’t need a map.” With this in mind, I’m happy to introduce our first Strategic Plan that defines where the City of Lancaster is going, and provides a map to our future.

The Plan represents a convergence of events and ideas that began almost a year ago, when a diverse group of community representatives met during Visioning Sessions led by the Brookings Institution to establish a framework for the City’s revitalization.  At the same time, we began collaborating with marketing professionals engaged by the Pennsylvania Dutch Convention and Visitors Bureau to develop a “branding” concept of the Lancaster City experience.  Finally, over the course of several months, the City’s entire Management Staff met to formalize and adopt cultural norms and expectations for the delivery of City services.

A vision of a revitalized City that residents and visitors experience as a unique brand, and a renewed commitment to customer service by City government are all about “where we’re going.”  This Strategic Plan is the map that we’re following on that journey.

The Plan identifies seven strategic focus areas that the City’s management team and I will advance during the next two and a half years. Our priorities are reflected in specific strategic directions and our measures of success are clearly established. 

We hope the City’s Strategic Plan excites and energizes you, as it does us. These are very exciting times for the City of Lancaster as we strive to achieve the vision of providing the ideal urban experience for our residents and visitors!

Sincerely,

J. Richard Gray

Mayor, City of Lancaster