Project & Program Information

Categories

• Small Scale – Projects that are under 50,000 square feet.
• Mid Scale – Projects that are between 50,000-200,000 square feet.
• Large Scale – Projects that are over 200,000 square feet.
• Open Space – Projects predominantly outdoors and open to the public, including parks, plazas, squares, memorials, trails, and other non-traditional open space formats. The submitter will need to respond to additional questions specific to this priority.
• Programs, Policies, & Plans – Recognizes a plan, policy or program that advances diverse and inclusive growth and investment in a community or in the real estate industry. Nominations will be evaluated on how well they demonstrate these considerations:
  • Improved quality of life for residents in disadvantaged communities
  • Strengthened opportunities for low-income residents
  • Created measurable results that address regional inequities
  • Used inclusive and innovative public engagement practices that can be replicated elsewhere

Criteria

Submissions will be judged on how the project or program meets one or more of these criteria.  Jurors recognize that all criteria will not be applicable to all submissions.

1. Equitable Development & Community Impact: Demonstrates an equitable approach to development and provides positive social impact by responding to regional and community needs, addressing neighborhood revitalization goals or demonstrating relevance to the current and future needs of the community or region. Examples of supporting material may include community benefits agreements, social, economic or health impact assessments; community engagement; access to open space; leveraged opportunities and anticipating unintended outcomes.
2. Resilience and Sustainability: Demonstrates a resilient approach to development and promotes environmental sustainability and stewardship. Environmental sustainability includes but is not limited to energy, water, and health building performance; smart growth; transit-oriented development; green infrastructure; green building; alternative transportation; and carbon emissions. Resilient development includes how the projects address physical climate vulnerabilities through design, infrastructure strategies, community resilience and adaptability to future climate events or community needs.
3. Excellence in Design: Demonstrates how excellence in design improves lives by reflecting community values and context, by how the project is integrated into its physical, social, and environmental surroundings, and how attention to details set the project apart from the ordinary.
4. Innovative Development: Demonstrates outstanding use of innovative technologies and progressive practices that can set a new standard for others to follow. Examples in innovative approaches may include creativity in planning, design, site utilization and programming, construction, financing, marketing and/or partnerships, how the project successfully responded to a problem, or how obstacles were overcome. The submitter will need to respond to additional questions specific to this priority.
5. Market Acceptance: Demonstrates broad acceptance in the marketplace, including success in occupancy, leasing, sales, utilization rates, return on investment (ROI), anchor/key tenants, stimulation of economic growth, etc. For public sector/nonprofit projects this means demonstrating a reasonable use of financial resources. (All information remains confidential)

Applications for the 2025 Awards for Excellence have now closed. Join us at the Fitler Club on Wednesday, May 21 for a celebration of the finalists and our award winners.