Four Halff Projects Collect Five APA Honors

RICHARDSON, Texas — Four Halff projects were recently recognized with American Planning Association (APA) awards. The City of Prairie View Livable Centers Study received the APA Houston section Public Outreach Silver Award and the APA Texas chapter Public Outreach Silver Award. The San Marcos Natural Areas Land Management Plan earned an APA Texas Environmental Planning Silver Award. Other awards include the Jonesboro Health Accelerator Plan (2024 APA Arkansas Plan of the Year for communities of 30,000 or more) and the Twin Lakes Master Plan (APA Oklahoma chapter Outstanding Plan).

The Prairie View Livable Centers Study was designed to integrate and connect the area to its immediate and regional surroundings by building a walkable, transit-friendly community with enhanced access to employment opportunities, civic infrastructure and amenities, reducing the impacts of defined barriers on pedestrians and bicyclists.

Prairie View desires a plan to enhance the image along Sandra Bland and University Boulevard (between Old Business 290 Highway and the 1098 intersection) adjacent to the Livable Centers Study area, because it is the primary gateway to the university, and it is symbolically at the heart of the city. The recommendations will help alleviate existing conditions and outline a plan to develop a well-planned central business district that will provide a multipurpose social environment, create growth and maintain a holistic community connection.

Ringtail Ridge is one of the natural areas highlighted within the San Marcos Natural Areas Plan. 

The San Marcos Natural Areas Land Management Plan uses environmental science and data-based management techniques. Unlike traditional planning efforts, it serves as an operations and maintenance manual to offer detailed guidance for managing and enhancing a vast natural area of more than 1,500 acres.

The Jonesboro Health Accelerator Plan was designed to improve Jonesboro’s “social determinants of health” by enhancing access to and providing inclusive recreation experiences within Jonesboro’s municipal parks system for persons with physical, emotional and/or mental disabilities.

The Twin Lakes Master Plan balances land use preferences and environmental health with the delivery of high-quality public services and a diversified tax base. The plan’s vision, policy program and investment program provide a clear playbook for balancing growth and resource conservation within this critically important study area.

About the Firm

Halff is an award-winning, employee-owned, diverse and full-service infrastructure consulting firm that improves lives and communities by turning ideas into reality. For nearly 75 years, Halff has provided smart solutions for clients throughout the United States. The people-first firm is committed to continuously investing in its employees and fostering a culture of collaboration.

Halff has more than 30 offices in Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas. The firm was recognized as the 2023 Texas & Louisiana Design Firm of the Year by the Engineering News-Record. Halff is ranked No. 87 in the 2024 Top 500 Design Firms rankings by ENR. Halff is the No. 16 Top Workplace nationally in 2024 as ranked by Energage for businesses with 1,000 to 2,499 employees.