Ross Perot Jr & Sr, Panther Island Big Winners

Ross Perot Jr., Ross Perot Sr. and Panther Island were the big winners at The Urban Land Institute’s North Texas District Council inaugural Impact Awards at last night’s event at Union Station. The father-son team (here, chatting at the event with Wynne/Jackson chairman & CEO Clyde Jackson) were presented with the first-ever Vision Award, which honors individuals who have made an outstanding contribution in real estate development, or a related area. Hillwood’s residential community, Harvest, was also an award winner for the Innovation Award for its live smart principles and environmentally friendly development.

Trinity River Vision Authority’s Panther Island development in Fort Worth won the Big Idea award by garnering 100 live votes (via mobile devices) during the event. (Pictured is the annual winter Panther Island ice rink.) With an audience primarily from Dallas, perhaps this signals a new era of regional mutual support, a ULI leader suggested to us. Submissions for the Big Idea Award did not have to be completed projects or implemented policies. Instead, ULI North Texas sought innovative ideas with the potential to positively impact the quality of life in North Texas. Other award winners: The City of Plano’s Downtown Plano Transit Village received the Influence Award for the TOD’s transformation of a formerly neglected area into a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly neighborhood. The Katy Trail received the Public Place Award, for successfully creating 30 new acres of urban park land and linking 125 acres into a contiguous green space in the heart of Dallas.