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Crosstown Concourse 2019 Rudy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence - Gold Medal
This Sears, Roebuck & Co distribution center was built in 1927 but, after closing in 1994, the building became a symbol of blight for the city. The nonprofit Crosstown Arts rehabbed the structure, which now includes eateries, bars, stores, residences, art galleries, medical offices, and other diverse programming.
Crosstown Concourse is attempting to live out the notion of “better together” and become an inclusive microcosm of the city where a diverse range of people, ethnically, economically, professionally, and generationally, interact in meaningful and inspiring ways that improve the quality of life for everyone.
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Buffalo Bayou Park 2019 Rudy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence - Silver Medal
Buffalo Bayou Park in Houston, Texas is a 160-acre park and a critical urban green space located in one of Houston’s primary drainage ways, Buffalo Bayou, Houston’s major and most historic waterway.
Submitted for consideration to the RBA by its master planner SWA Group, this 2.3-mile-long urban park turned the under-used land underneath highway overpasses into a lush, diversely-programmed public space.
Using Buffalo Bayou Partnership’s 2002 Buffalo Bayou and Beyond Master Plan, created by Thompson Design Group, as a guide, Buffalo Bayou Park project has restored the area to a more natural and self-sustaining state, reintroduced native landscapes, and added amenities to enhance safety and convenience for visitors.
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Sulphur Springs Downtown 2019 Rudy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence - Silver Medal
With a population of around 16,000, the rural town of Sulphur Springs set out to revitalize its town square, converting it from a parking lot to a public park that would host events and gatherings. Ian Lockwood, a livable transportation engineer now affiliated with Toole Design Group, who submitted the project to RBA, led the planning process for the towns’ numerous urban design and landscaping improvements.
Sulphur Springs has inspired other rural towns and cities in Texas. The other cities are developing their own revitalization plans, emphasizing their own unique histories and contexts while borrowing the tried and true urban design and planning principles that helped Sulphur Springs. Sulphur Springs has become a role model for other places and teaching lab for designers.
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Parisite Skatepark 2019 Rudy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence - Silver Medal
Initially a DIY skatepark begun in 2010, Parisite became a collaboration between its skaters, Tulane School of Architecture’s Albert and Tina Small Center for Collaborative Design, and the nonprofit Transitional Spaces. Working together, the team grew the park and earned it official city recognition.
Parisite Skatepark remains the one and only official public skatepark in New Orleans, offering easily accessible, safe and free recreation to the city’s population and a model for transforming derelict urban voids into functional community spaces.
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Beyond Walls 2019 Rudy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence - Silver Medal
Beyond Walls is centrally located in the urban downtown of Lynn, Massachusetts. This creative placemaking-focused nonprofit collaborates with local government, community groups, and stakeholders to deploy public art and other experiences in marginal or little-used spaces. Its projects have included a murals festival—which attracted international artists—and the restoration of vintage neon signs.
Beyond Walls has used grassroots efforts to promote stronger, more vibrant, and more inclusive communities. Through their projects and programming, they have retained the voice, integrity, and pride of area residents.
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Crosstown Concourse case study
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Beyond Walls case study
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Buffalo Bayou Park case study
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Parisite Skatepark case study
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Sulphur Springs Downtown case study
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Parisite Skatepark application
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Sulphur Springs Downtown application
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Beyond Walls application
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Buffalo Bayou Park application
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Crosstown Concourse application
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Changing the Narrative: The 2019 Rudy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence
