ULI Impact Awards Recognize Positive Urban Impacts in North Texas Region

Big thinkers and dreamers have shaped North Texas development since John Neely Bryan wandered into the area in 1839.

Last week, more than 700 gathered at an gala and soirée to celebrate vibrant, innovative projects that have a positive impact on the built environment in North Texas.

This was the Urban Land Institute of North Texas‘ second annual Impact Awards, held at the Hilton Anatole. The event recognized several people and companies, as well as honored the legacy of one of the world’s most influential couples in local real estate, Trammell and Margaret Crow.

“The Impact Awards have gained an enthusiastic following in North Texas, attracting those interested in celebrating vibrant, innovative projects that have a positive impact on the built environment in our region,” said Pamela Stein, Executive Director of the Urban Land Institute’s North District Council.

The ULI Impact Awards support transformative land use developments, best real estate practices, and creative visioning in the region. Owners, developers, architects, engineers or other professionals enter the awards, and are not required to be a ULI member to compete. Twenty-seven applications were submitted for the second annual awards competition.

The Vision Award went to Trammell and Margaret Crow, who transformed North Texas real estate during their lives. Crow family members accepted the award on their parents’ behalf, Harlan Crow, Lucy Billingsley, and Trammell S. Crow, all active in the real estate and environmental sectors. Clyde Jackson, chairman and CEO of Wynne Jackson, led informal, on-stage interviews of individuals, who knew, loved, and worked with Mr. and Mrs. Crow over the years.

Following the Vision Award, the Impact Awards were given in three competitive urban design and project development categories: Innovation, Influence and Public Places.

Proceeds from the gala event will benefit the educational and volunteer outreach programs of ULI’s North Texas District Council.

The finalists in the fourth awards category, The Next Big Idea, presented their ideas “live” on stage, and audience members voted for the winning idea using their cellphones, with the results displayed live on the video screens.

This year, the jury also added an Inspiration Award, which went to the Rogers Road Pavilion (Woodshed Smokehouse) in Fort Worth, submitted by Bennett Benner Partners.

The jury included Mary Borgia of The Borgia Company (San Diego) as its chair; Steven La Terre of Meyers LLC (Scottsdale), Antonio Fiol-Silva, WRT Design (Philadelphia), Thomas Burton, AB Realty (Baltimore) and Philip Payne, Ginkgo Residential (Charlotte).

“A big congratulations to our Impact Awards winners – Prestwick STEM Academy, Old Parkland Campus, Tarrant County College Trinity East Campus and North Texas to Houston High Speed Rail and a huge thank you to our event co-chairs Dana Walters and Mark Seilly,” said Michael Jackson, board chair of the Urban Land Institute’s North Texas Council.

 

Influence Award

WINNER: Prestwick STEM Academy

Finalists were the Plano Legacy project and Oak Cliff Gateway TIF Expansion.

 

Innovation Award

WINNER: Old Parkland Campus

Finalists were the Med Assets Building and The Richards Group Building.

 

Public Places Award

WINNER: Tarrant County College Trinity River East Campus in Fort Worth

Finalists were the Spring Creek Nature Area Expansion in Richardson and The Shops at Park Lane (Phase 2, Block A plaza).

 

The Next Big Idea Award

WINNER: North Texas to Houston High Speed Rail

Finalists were Dallas Midtown and the $5-Billion Mile in Frisco.