- Cathy O’Connor
ULI recognizes Oklahoma developments
Every year, Urban Land Institute Oklahoma hosts a party, packed with people, music and conversation. It’s great to see such a diverse group of developers, commercial brokers, city planners, architects, bankers, and contractors gathered together. But it’s not just a fun party, it’s one of the most important evenings of the year to honor those who transform our community.
The people who are honored each year are visionaries. They look at an empty lot and see possibility and a bustling space in the future. They artfully balance new development with sustainable and responsible land use and they work to create resilient communities and intelligent urbanization.
This year, ULI Oklahoma selected 23 finalists in six categories for the 6th Annual Impact Awards. The finalists, with winners underlined and in bold, included:
Outstanding Community Building Effort: 2019 OKC Memorial Marathon, Factory Obscura’s Mix-Tape, NE OKC Developer’s Conference.
Outstanding Public Initiative: Norman Public Library Central, Scissortail Park, Westwood Family Aquatic Center.
Boutique Development: 1621 NW 16th St, FRIDA southwest /Paseo Studios, McKinley Row, Yale Theater.
Small Scale Development: The Collective Food Hall, EastPoint, Edmond Railyard, The MGM Buildings, Social Capital, Wheeler Cottages.
Large Scale Development: The Monarch, The Pointe at Chisholm Creek, West Village.
Large Scale Rehabilitation and Restoration: Central Exchange, Dunbar Commons, Historic Pioneer Building, Resolution Legal/Elk Valley.
ULI Oklahoma’s Impact Awards recognize projects that exemplify best practices in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities through each project’s contributions to the built environment and the public realm. Each of these projects is an excellent example of design and construction. These visionaries have added the places and experiences where we, and generations after us, will live, eat, work, meet after work, shop, enjoy the outdoors, experience art and better understand the history and culture of our community.
The list of honorees is proof that there is incredible talent within our state. The projects signal the strong will to build spaces that bring diverse groups of people together and encourage community and placemaking. These developments honor our city’s history, bring new vibrancy to the area and positively impact our communities and the quality of our lives. The Alliance for Economic Development has assisted many of these projects with advice and support for use, location, land or financing assistance and it’s rewarding to see them be honored.
