Cowtown Coup
Downtown Fort Worth racks up another award for urban excellence
Downtown Fort Worth has long been considered an exemplar of great urban living, and last year's addition of Sundance Square Plaza has bolstered its case: The Washington, D.C.-based International Downtown Association (IDA) has bestowed its Downtown Pinnacle Award to the plaza.
Entered in the category of Downtown Leadership and Management, which showcases comprehensive and unique organizational approaches, projects or programs that improved the effectiveness of downtown management organizations, Sundance Square Plaza came out on top in a group of 10 entries.
Although Sundance Square was already established as a destination, it became even more so after its two square blocks were joined together with two new buildings surrounding a plaza featuring, among other things, a popular ground water fountain and four giant umbrellas.
“The addition of the plaza created a centerpiece in downtown Fort Worth that has quickly become a destination for North Texas residents and visitors from all around the world,” said Johnny Campbell, president and CEO of Sundance Square, in a statement. “Sundance Square Plaza is a treasure for our city and the response to the pedestrian-friendly plaza has been overwhelmingly positive.”
“The Sundance Square Plaza is a wonderful example for all cities to emulate,” said David Downey, president and CEO of IDA, a champion for vital and livable urban centers that strives to inform, influence and inspire downtown leaders and advocates.
The IDA award is just the latest in a series of accolades for downtown Fort Worth. A survey by Livability.com earlier in 2014 ranked it as the No. 1 downtown area in the entire United States.
Map of affected area.Map courtesy of TxDOT