ULI Impact Awards showcase some of Oklahoma’s best development

It takes developers, real estate agents, city planners, architects, bankers, landscapers and construction companies to create an outstanding development project. The public sees the results of their hard work: places in our community that use land in a sustainable and responsible way to add great places to live, retail spaces where people enjoy working and places and events for entertainment, education and connection.

At an important event each year, we celebrate them, their work and their vision. Urban Land Institute of Oklahoma’s annual Impact Awards honor the people and projects that represent the best practices in land use and development, promote the creation of resilient communities, intelligent densification and urbanization and exhibit excellent design and construction.

This year, ULI Oklahoma selected 18 finalists and winners in seven categories that will be announced at the event on Jan. 28 at the Tower Theatre. The finalists are:

• Outstanding Public Initiative: City of Edmond Quiet Zone, City of Edmond Streatery Program and the Oklahoma City Convention Center.

• Boutique Development: B12 Live/Work, The Big Friendly Brewery & Taproom and The Row on Twelve.

• Small Scale Development: Homeland Grocery Store at NE 36th and Lincoln, Spoke Street Shophomes and The Nicholas.

• Large Scale Development: New Page West, Oklahoma Contemporary and the Omni Oklahoma City Hotel.

• Scale Rehabilitation and Restoration: Benz Complex and The Compound at Dead People’s Stuff.

• Philanthropic Vision: First Americans Museum.

Each of these projects already has had a positive impact on our communities and the quality of our lives. The people being honored are visionaries. They look at an empty lot and see possibility and a vibrant 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.

These developments honor our city’s history and culture, bring people and activity to the area and positively impact our communities and the quality of our lives. The Alliance has assisted many of these projects with advice and support for incentives, location, land or financing and it’s rewarding to see them be honored.

I encourage you to attend this event and hear firsthand about these outstanding projects. Purchase tickets online at the early bird rate by Jan. 7 at https://oklahoma.uli.org.