Urban Land Institute announces finalists for development awards

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The southwest Missouri chapter of the Urban Land Institute this month is scheduled to present two awards recognizing its mission of responsible land use and community development.

Five finalists are in the running for the ULI Southwest Missouri chapter's Professional Development and Development Excellence awards, according to a news release. The winners are slated to be announced March 14 at the ULI Southwest Missouri Impact Awards ceremony at Wilson Logistics Arena.

The following are the Professional Development award finalists:
• Amy Blansit, founder and CEO of the nonprofit Drew Lewis Foundation Inc., which operates The Fairbanks in Springfield
• David and Linda Brown, founders of The Gathering Tree and Eden Village, which has two tiny home communities in Springfield and is fundraising for a third

The Development Excellence award finalists are the following:
• Blue House Project, a Drew Lewis Foundation housing renovation initiative
• Finley Farms, a multiuse development in Ozark from Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris
• Ozarker Lodge, a boutique hotel in Branson from Flyover Developments LLC

"These awards honor individuals and organizations that have demonstrated excellence in innovation, sustainability and leadership within the region," ULI officials said in the release. "These finalists exemplify a commitment to advancing the real estate development and land use industry. Their efforts have significantly shaped the built environment and fostered positive community impact in southwest Missouri."

The award honorees were selected by jurors at neighboring ULI chapters, according to the release.

Springfield Business Journal reported in mid-2023 that the ULI Southwest Missouri chapter was setting up in an effort to promote responsible land use and to create thriving, sustainable and resilient communities through research, education, advisory services and collaborative efforts. 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.

Brandon Biskup, chair of the ULI Southwest Missouri chapter and a project architect at Kinetic Design and Development LLC, said via email that the local ULI's highlights to date include the establishment of groups for young leaders and professional developers, and the hosting of a variety of events, including one focusing on emerging real estate trends and featuring a keynote by HaydenTanner founder and CEO Molly McCabe.