Finalists of the 2015 Rudy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence

Just one step closer to finding out the winner of the 2015 Rudy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence. Established in 1987,  the biennial prize distinguishes urban places in the U.S. for both design quality and for their economically and social influence in America's urban fabric. Since then, 73 places in 25 states have received the award.

The five finalists for this year are:

• Falls Park on the Reedy - Greenville, SC
• Grand Rapids Downtown Market – Grand Rapids, MI
• Miller’s Court - Baltimore, MD
• Quixote Village - Olympia, WA
• Uptown District - Cleveland, OH

Next month, Bruner Foundation staff will visit each finalist project in preparation for the award committee’s selection of the medal winners in June. The medalists will receive cash awards to support their projects: The grand-prize Gold Medal recipient will receive $50,000, while the four Silver Medal recipients will receive $10,000 each.

Miller’s Court - Baltimore, MD:  The redevelopment of a vacant manufacturing building into an affordable and supportive living and working environment for public school teachers and education-focused nonprofits. (Submitted by Enterprise Community Investment, Inc.)

Falls Park on the Reedy - Greenville, SC:  The renaissance of a 26-acre river corridor running through the heart of Greenville, restoring public access to the falls and greenspace and catalyzing adjacent downtown development. (Submitted by the City of Greenville.)

Grand Rapids Downtown Market – Grand Rapids, MI:  A new downtown public space promoting local food producers and community events, entrepreneurship, and education about nutrition and healthy lifestyles. (Submitted by Grand Rapids Downtown Market.)

Quixote Village - Olympia, WA:  A two-acre community of 30 tiny houses and a common building that provides permanent, supportive housing for chronically homeless adults. (Submitted by Panza.)