North Charlotte Today

The City of Charlotte Urban Design Center (UDC) and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte School of Architecture presented the city's third annual Urban Design Awards, also known as the Urbies. The awards were presented on Thursday in a ceremony dedicated to showcasing excellent urban design.

The awards program aims to recognize and celebrate quality urban design in Charlotte while encouraging continued community discussion around what makes for unique and great places.

"Well-designed spaces, physical structures and mobility networks are fundamental to shaping vibrant and memorable urban environments," said UNC Charlotte School of Architecture Director and Professor Blaine Brownell. "Now in its third year, the Urbies bring welcomed attention to the successful places that make Charlotte a great city and a superlative home for our institution."

Award recipients:

• Great Development Near Transit – Lintmen’s.
• Great Walkable Neighborhood – Dilworth.
• Great New Life for an Old Place – Community Matters Café.
• Great Public Space – Freedom Park. 
• Great Placemaking – Charlotte SHOUT!
• Great Street – Elizabeth Avenue.
• Great Urban Architecture – Latta Arcade and Brevard Court.      
• Great Suburban Design – Waverly.
• Great Student Project – BOPlex Park Vision Plan.
• People’s Choice Award – The Line.
• Great Neighborhood Champion – Ruth Ava Lyons and Paul Sires.
• Great Urban Design Champion – Mary Newsom.  

 A diverse, 10-member community jury of urban design experts chose award recipients from a pool of nominees submitted by the public. The awards ceremony recognizing winners took place at the Charlotte Urban Design Center.

“As our city continues to grow, great urban design is vital to maintaining and enhancing quality of life for all residents,” said Alyson Craig, director of the Charlotte Planning, Design & Development Department. “The Urban Design Awards program continues to celebrate the past and present contributions of designers, developers and Charlotteans in creating vibrant, people-centered places. Resident participation, UNC Charlotte collaboration and jury expertise all contributed to an Urbies that properly honors those achievements. I encourage you to visit the award-winning projects and places and imagine how your neighborhood might be transformed by something similar—they are the crown jewels of the Queen City.”

Original source can be found here.