Award winners announced at Urban Land Institute event

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The Urban Land Institute's southwest Missouri chapter on Friday presented awards designed to recognize responsible land use and community development.

Amy Blansit and Finley Farms received the Professional Excellence and Development Excellence awards, respectively, at the Impact Awards event held at Wilson Logistics Arena, according to a news release.

Blansit is founder and CEO of the nonprofit Drew Lewis Foundation Inc., which operates The Fairbanks in Springfield.

"Through her visionary leadership, she has set a high standard for innovation, collaboration and transformative development efforts," officials said in the release of Blansit. "Her work continues to inspire positive change and strengthen communities."

Finalists for the Professional Excellence Award were David and Linda Brown, founders of The Gathering Tree and Eden Village.

Finley Farms, a multiuse development in Ozark from Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris, was chosen for the Development Excellence Award over finalists Blue House Project and Ozarker Lodge.

ULI Southwest Missouri officials noted Finley Farms' "execution in overcoming significant design and construction challenges, as well as its exceptional integration of history, sustainability, cultural and economic impact."

The city of Springfield received an Honorable Mention award at the event to recognize its creation of the director of quality of place initiatives role, according to the release. Tim Rosenbury was hired as the first person to hold the position in 2020.

The ULI was established in 1936 and is one of the oldest and largest networks of land-use industry experts with a focus on urban development.