VOTE TODAY! 2023 Development of Distinction Awards - PEOPLE'S CHOICE

December 2, 2022

We love all our finalists, but now is the time for you to choose your favorite! Vote for our People’s Choice Award and we’ll announce the winner during our event on February 7, 2023.

Learn more about our finalists and then make your choice. Best of luck to all our finalists!

VOTE by January 13, 2023

VOTE

2023 Award Finalists

Avenue Center:

Avenue Center is a new community hub that increases operational efficiencies and allows for growth of Avenue’s affordable housing and neighborhood revitalization programs. Avenue’s HomeOwnership Center will support more than 1,000 clients on their journey to sustainable home ownership annually. The Center also offers two new vital services that community residents expressed a need and desire for—Legacy Community Health clinic and YMCA Children’s Academy. The project’s location, facility design, and business plan were tailored for its community service mission and provide for cost-effective occupancy for the non-profit tenants. Avenue Center contributes to greater health and wealth equity for Houstonians by offering programs designed to improve life opportunities, increase civic engagement, decrease poverty and improve the overall health of communities.
The Center for Pursuit Campus –

The Center for Pursuit’s campus is prominently situated in East Downtown, an emerging community within a historically industrial neighborhood. With a mission to promote choice, growth and independence for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, it was important that the nonprofit integrate itself into the community in order to foster greater acceptance for its clients. Comprised of three buildings framing a public green space and a private outdoor terrace, the campus architecture reflects EaDo’s artistic warehouse vibe by blending reclaimed brick from the previous facility with modern elements, including sculptures and graffiti walls. Large exterior windows were used in each building to encourage transparency from the inside out, furthering the organization’s commitment to creating a welcoming environment for its clients.
East Aldine Town Center –

East Aldine Town Center has changed the trajectory for this historically underserved area by setting new expectations for standards of development and creating a destination of essential services including education, social, civic, and economic development. The heart of the campus is the District Building and Town Center Park which incorporates amenities such as play areas, interactive water feature, shade structure, and a performance pavilion for outdoor events with lawn seating. The event lawn is bordered by pathways and a stone-lined water feature that trickles into a rock bed stream at the park’s edge. The stream seems to “disappear” underneath the adjacent drive and flow into a larger feature pond that also serves as a campus-wide stormwater detention basin.
The Houston Farmers Market –

The Houston Farmers Market is the oldest, largest and only daily farmers market in Houston. Established in 1942, the market is iconic, positively impacting the community for more than 80 years. The 17.67-acre site was purchased in 2017 by MLB Capital Partners from the descendants of the original farmers who created the market. The development and construction team had a weighty goal — to revitalize the market while maintaining the culture synonymous with the original space. The result? An upgraded site with vendor, retail and restaurant space, improved walkability and expanded green space featuring an event lawn, dining courtyard and patio.
James Driver Inclusive Park –

James Driver Park, a 29-acre park located in northeast Houston along US Highway 59, is home to the newest premier greenspace in the region. Located in an underserved part of Harris County, the improvements added to James Driver Park should also help to revitalize the surrounding community and serve as a destination to visitors. James Driver Park was built to provide all people a place to go regardless of their physical and mental conditions and know they belong. It is a place that is truly made for the public, regardless of ability, age, or economic status. The laughter, joyful screams, and smiles that park has produced since opening is the true measurement of the success of this park.
The Park at JP Morgan Chase Tower –

The civic plaza at Houston’s iconic Chase Tower has been transformed into a welcoming park space that integrates the building into the urban fabric of downtown Houston. In a tribute to the building’s iconic history, the plaza and lobby meet at a new glass pyramid entry, a nod to the tower’s original architect, I.M. Pei. The renovation weaves together interior and exterior amenities to enhance the the experience of downtown workers and residents while also creating a landmark within Downtown Houston’s public realm. Infusing the space with new energy and attracting world-class tenants, the design transforms the underutilized plaza into a vibrant urban garden that optimizes its premiere location and proximity to the historic, cultural, and transit offerings of downtown.
Montrose Collective –

Montrose Collective is a dynamic, mixed-use project spanning two new commercial buildings and two remodeled buildings on two city blocks in the Montrose area of Houston, Texas. Montrose Collective was created to engage the neighborhood with a porous, walkable project that elevates Houston’s office, retail and restaurant experience while authentically reflecting the vibrancy of the Montrose community. The project blurs the distinction between the public and the private realm with expansive sidewalks, activated restaurant patios, a new home for the Montrose public library, and a 1-acre public garden room.
Railway Heights –

Railway Heights Market is on a 3.6-acre site centrally located in Houston near the neighborhood just north of Interstate 10 and inside the 610 Loop. A two-story, 40,000-square-foot warehouse was converted for the development to feature food and retail stalls and shops, there are also dining options on the second floor, a wine bar, a dog-friendly patio outside and more. Curated artwork from local artists is on display and for sale. This development creates a community atmosphere showcasing the diversity of Houston. The food hall and market allow for small business owners to open new concepts and develop and grow before launching their first stand alone spaces. Since opening in 2021, several vendors have already gone onto open additional locations.
The Plant at Harrisburg –

The Plant is a model for urban impact, community wealth and transit-oriented development. Approximately 84% of the businesses located at The Plant are run by minority, women-owned control partners, or entrepreneurs living within a quarter mile of the project. What was previously a 1940s-era warehouse and factory has been transformed into a neighborhood-centric mixed-use development that embraces all five modes of transportation to address the community’s most pressing needs via intentional and purposeful placemaking.
John S. Dunn Behavioral Sciences Center –

A statewide shortage of mental health professionals and patient beds can make it difficult for Texans with behavioral health disorders to get the support they need. The new UTHealth Behavioral Sciences Center aims to change that by bringing behavioral health close to home, reducing the stigma of treatment, and empowering patients across a wide spectrum of mental health needs. Each space is designed to naturally aid appropriate and beneficial interactions between patients and staff. To that end, residential units are situated around a central living area, promoting engagement amongst residents. Additional amenities include a therapy mall, activity room, and a communal dining area with views onto an internal courtyard, and an external courtyard leading to a large, tree-filled area.
Woodchase Park –

Woodchase Park is located at 3951 Woodchase Drive. The park within walking distance of approximately 10,000 residents, making it an ideal location for a neighborhood park. The 1.75-acre parcel was purchased by the City of Houston. Westchase District managed the design and construction of the park and is responsible for park programming and maintenance. This unique multi-governmental partnership brought a first-of-its-kind park to Westchase District. The park was designed by the Office of James Burnett and constructed by D.L. Meacham. The design was developed after extensive community engagement sessions and surveys of area residents. The park includes a children’s play area, dog park, water misting feature, community garden, restrooms, public art, fitness space, a multi-purpose pavilion, and an activity lawn.