And the winners are. . .
By: J. David Chapman/February 15, 2018
The Urban Land Institute has had a huge influence on development in Oklahoma in its first 11 years. For the past four 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.
In the Outstanding Community Building Effort, the Curbside Chronicle was honored. The Curbside Chronicle is a magazine that provides employment and empowerment to men and women transitioning out of homelessness. This effort is praised for creating a sense of place and community while restoring a sense of purpose and pride for these hardworking citizens.
In the Boutique-Development category, Barrios and Gardner redevelopment was honored for repurposing Midtown’s Swanson’s Tire into an upscale Mexican restaurant and the new home of Gardner Architects. Congratulations to Andy Barnett, Jeff Johnson, Pivot Project, Gardner Architects and Lingo Construction.
In the Small-Scale Rehabilitation category, the Sunshine Laundry project was honored for restoring the abandoned industrial laundry services building into the Stonecloud Brewing Co., restaurant space, and offices. Kudos to Pivot Project, Joel Irby, Gardner Architects, and Lingo Construction.
For the Small-Scale Development category, the Commons on Classen was honored. This 49-unit independent senior living project located in Midtown was financed with low-income tax credits and targets low-income seniors aged 62 and older.
In the Large-Scale Development category, the University of Oklahoma was honored for its unique Ivy League-inspired residential college concept. Housing 600 students, the college development combines living space, learning space, and the fellowship relationship. Cheers to OU!
In the Large-Scale Rehabilitation category, the adaptive reuse of Page Woodson School into affordable apartments was honored. Ron Bradshaw transformed one of the most blighted buildings in the metro into a 60-unit affordable apartment project. Congrats to Ron Bradshaw.
Congratulations to all those nominated and especially those who received awards, but it occurs to me that the real winners are the citizens of Oklahoma, who have a great built environment and a wonderful organization such as ULI to motivate and honor those that create this environment.
J. David Chapman is an associate professor of finance and real estate at the University of Central Oklahoma (jchapman7@uco.edu).