Image: Simon Howden / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
The North Texas Chapter of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties-Commercial Real Estate Development Association’s yearly Shoot-Out competition took place recently, and among the challengers were five UTA graduate students.
The Competition
The teams were required to turn in plans that would revitalize local real estate. In this particular event, the location was in Downtown Dallas; the site where the Reunion Area once stood. Each team turned in a submission that would include a sustainability aspect as well as revitalize the area and bring in revenue.
The Plans
The UTA team created a plan that included a casino and parking structure as well as a 10-acre public park that would connect theTrinity Riverto the Downtown Dallas Center Business District. Also included would be a development area for retail or restaurants, condos, a baseball park or a multi-purpose entertainment venue that would appeal to individuals of all ages.
The Winners
UTA’s wonderful submission tied with Texas A&M for third place. Some of the other teams includedTexasChristianUniversity,University of North Texas,RiceUniversity,Baylor University,UTDallas, and Southern Methodist University. In first place was UT Austin and Texas Tech took home the title of second place winners. Among so many wonderful and well thought out plans, to take third place is a wonderful accomplishment.
The Team
UTA’s team consisted of Alexander Blue, Coy Blevins, Aldo Fritz, Ryan Reeh and sustainability graduate student Timothy James Smith. The team all worked full time jobs at the time of the planning, and really had to sacrifice to come together and create a wonderful project. Alexander Blue said the plan included the work of each and every member on the team. “The guys I worked with were great,” he said. “They were knowledgeable and the competition was a neat experience.”
Sustainability
The team worked hard to include a sustainability plan for their casino and in the end, would have sought LEED certification for their buildings. LEED or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Platinum certification measures the sustainability and green aspects of the design, construction operations and the maintenance procedures.
This was the first year UTA took part in the competition, and it was without a doubt better for the creative and bright young minds who were included. Overall, they did a wonderful job and made their school and fellow students proud.
