10th annual Urban Land Institute’s Impact Awards
By: J. David Chapman/February 15, 2024
The Urban Land Institute has had a huge influence on development in Oklahoma.
For the past nine years, ULI Oklahoma has awarded Impact Awards to the most deserving projects. I am honored to serve as a judge, and, even though ULI leadership gives us a clear rubric in evaluating the nominees, this may be the most difficult evaluation I make all year. The decisions were difficult again this year with a host of great projects and developments nominated. This year’s program was held at the Oklahoma City Convention Center and saw over 420 attendees.
For Outstanding Community Building Effort, HideandGoBike was chosen. A weekly social bike ride in OKC that promotes building community for those on two wheels, this ride regularly attracts over 100 riders. Congrats to Danny Vo for this award and community-building effort!
For the Small-Scale Development category, ULI honored Bar K for their unique dog park concept. This innovative project successfully brings together community-minded people and their dogs to share a joyful and creative space. Congratulations to the team of PIVOT, Rose Rock, Johnson, & Miller Tippens.
In the Boutique Development category, Bún Box was honored for redeveloping a small vacant corner in middle of the Asian District into a Vietnamese vermicelli noodle restaurant. Kudos Jenny Nguyen and Gardner Studio.
In the Large-Scale Development category, for the first time in history, ULI decided to honor both applicants in the category. The Ellison, a neighborhood hotel located in central OKC and the MUSE, a 5-story, workforce housing project were honored. Cheers to both winners!
In the Small-Scale Rehabilitation & Restoration category, The Belevedere was honored due to its adaptive reuse of the former automobile showroom. Congrats to PIVOT, Harvey 13th, and Gardner Studio.
In two special recognitions, ULI recognized Ashley Terry for her leadership, dedication, and loyalty to ULI Oklahoma and BancFirst for their renovation of the BancFirst Tower. Thanks, Ashley for your work making ULI great, and BancFirst for your commitment to our community!
Congratulations to all those nominated, and especially those who received awards, but it occurs to me that the real winners are the residents of Oklahoma who have a great built environment and a wonderful organization such as ULI to motivate and honor those that create this environment.
David Chapman is professor of finance and real estate at The University of Central Oklahoma (jchapman7@uco.edu)