We are honored and excited to announce that St. John Encampment Commons has won the prestigious Urban Land Institute Austin Impact Award for Best Public Place. This recognition is a testament to the dedication and vision behind this project that transformed a former mall parking lot into 2.4-acre urban park that serves as a gateway to the ACC Highland Campus.

St. John Encampment Commons was designed to honor the site’s rich history, which dates back to the late 19th century when the land was used by the St. John Baptist Association, an African American community, for annual gatherings and educational purposes.

The award-winning design epitomizes the adaptive reuse of urban spaces, demonstrating how public realms can be reimagined to serve modern needs while preserving historical significance.