Two Page Projects Up for ULI Houston People's Choice Award

The Urban Land Institute (ULI) is a global real estate and land use non-profit forum that encourages industry leaders and policy makers to exchange ideas, information, and experience to create better places for communities. Its Houston chapter is celebrating ten years of the annual Development of Distinction (DoD) Awards, which recognizes area developments and public open spaces that exemplify best practices in design, construction, economic viability, healthy places, marketing and management. They are conducting a public poll to decide the People's Choice Award comprised of DoD winners for the past ten years and Page is proud to be the only firm with more than one project in the voting.

The Christ Church Cathedral mixed-use project won the ULI Development of Distinction award in 2008 and the urban park Discovery Green won in 2009. The work on Christ Church Cathedral combined four new and diverse program elements on a full block adjacent to the historic Cathedral in downtown Houston. This allowed the church to respond to the neighborhood’s needs while solidifying the congregation’s vision as the “church for downtown". Its outreach programs include counseling and mental health facilities for the homeless and disenfranchised.  

Discovery Green is a 12-acre urban park in the heart of downtown Houston that was formerly a district of asphalt parking lots. It was designed in designed in association with Hargreaves Associates and today, has transformed the perception and experience of downtown while seeding the revitalization of the surrounding urban district. Discovery Green welcomed millions of visitors during its first five years of operation, far exceeding projections and expectations. It was selected to be the site of the ten-day Super Bowl LIVE fan festival for the 2017 Super Bowl LI game in Houston. 

And, in addition to the two Page projects that are candidates for the People's Choice Award, the firm has a connection to a third. Our own Wendy Heger oversaw the multimillion dollar restoration of the Julia Ideson Building prior to joining Page. As the Assistant Director of Planning & Facilities for the Houston Public Library system, Wendy's first role on the project was as design/construction contract management, which evolved to serving in the role of Owner's Representative when construction began. 

Anyone can vote for one of the ten projects to decide the People's Choice Award. Be sure to cast yours before January 24, 2017 by clicking here.