2016 Impact Award Winners
ULI Austin’s annual Impact Awards recognize and celebrate projects and people throughout Greater Austin that exemplify ULI’s mission: to provide leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide.
The 2016 Awards were celebrated at the Hotel Van Zandt on Wednesday, January 13, 2016.

Alan Graham presenting Community First to ULI Members.
ULI Austin presented the Vision Award to:
A single, honorary Vision Award was presented to Alan Graham, CEO of Mobile Loaves & Fishes.
Proceeds from the awards event were donated to the Community First! Village.
Competitive Award Category | Innovation
The Innovation award recognized originality and creativity in several aspects of development such as design, placemaking, supporting use of public transit, green techniques, financing (including public/private partnerships), innovative land use and/or community planning, or other inventive features.
The finalists are:
- 816 Congress Terrace, a rooftop garden and public space;
- 2400 Nueces, a student housing project in the West Campus area of the University of Texas;
- [WINNER] The Denizen Condominiums in South Austin; and
- Lamar Union, the mixed-use redevelopment of a premium site southwest of Downtown Austin.
Competitive Award Category | Influence
This award was be given to a project, policy, or program that created a positive impact beyond its immediate borders and/or catalyzes the development of the surrounding community, resulting in a lasting effect on the built environment.
The finalists are:
- Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas South Tower at Mueller;
- Dell Seton Medical Center at the University of Texas, the teaching hospital built alongside the new Dell Medical School;
- [WINNER] The redevelopment of the Seaholm Power Plant; and
- The new JW Marriott hotel downtown.
Competitive Award Category | Public Places
The Public Places Award recognizes a project that provides the public with enhanced civic, open or public space access or experiences. Award candidates may be public sector, non-profit, public/private partnership or entirely private sector as long as the space itself is generally open to the public without charge.
The finalists are:
- The Austin Independent School District’s Performing Arts Center at Mueller;
- Auditorium Shores, the public park facility on the south shore of Lady Bird Lake;
- The pedestrian renovations at The Domain master planned community in North Austin; and
- The Thinkery, the new children’s museum at Mueller.