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This month, Urban Land Institute (ULI) Oklahoma hosted its eleventh annual Impact Awards. These awards recognize projects that showcase responsible land use and best practices for creating and sustaining thriving communities. As a sponsor of the awards, the Alliance for Economic Development of OKC is proud to recognize this year’s winners, especially those directly impacting OKC’s growth and revitalization.
Winning the Boutique Development category, the Douglass Townhomes is a modern residential development that seamlessly integrates into OKC’s Asian District. After obtaining special revocable permits, the townhomes were able to expand closer to new sidewalks, allowing each unit to have porches and outdoor spaces—fostering a welcoming sense of community.
Also in the Asian District, the New Saigon Apartments took home the award for Small-Scale Development. These apartments are dually aimed at re-energizing the district and attracting young professionals who are encouraged to enjoy many of the local amenities, including nearby grocery stores, restaurants, public transit, and shopping.
For the Large-Scale Development category, the Phillips Murrah Headquarters won for its impact on Midtown, with special recognition for filling in an empty block in the heart of the district. The mixed-use building includes retail and hospitality spaces on the lower two floors while housing the law firm’s headquarters above.
In Automobile Alley, the Public Strategies Headquarters won the Outstanding Rehabilitation and Restoration award. The project included the redevelopment of nearly three-century-old buildings, two of which are now connected by a glass-in alleyway, which would not have been possible without parking obtained in a partnership with OKC Urban Renewal Authority (OCURA) for Public Strategies employees.This project revitalized over 47,000 square feet of neglected space to now provide a modern workspace to help attract young professionals to the city. One of the buildings houses the One Set production studio, whose virtual production capabilities have helped attract national and Hollywood attention to OKC’s growing film industry.
I was honored to present the last award of the night, the Distinguished Merit Award, to the OAK OKC development. After a decade of hard work to create a walkable, urban center in northwest OKC, the project blends residential, commercial, hospitality, and recreational spaces to create a new centralized gathering place. With most storefronts expected to open within the year, OAK will play a pivotal role in improving OKC’s quality of life, from work to housing to entertainment.
These awards are an opportunity to celebrate the projects that are energizing the city. Not only are they already creating new places for residents to live and work, but they also represent OKC’s growing prosperity.
Kenton Tsoodle is the president of The Alliance for Economic Development of Oklahoma City.
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