ATLANTA (June 26, 2025) – The Urban Land Institute (ULI) Atlanta District Council today announces the finalists and honorees for its 2025 Awards for Excellence, recognizing the region’s most transformative real estate projects, public spaces and industry leaders. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the prestigious program, which launched in 1995.

ULI Atlanta will present Jim Durrett with the 2025 Community Impact Award to honor his significant and ongoing impact on Atlanta’s built environment. A lifelong Atlantan and visionary advocate for smart growth, Durrett has spent nearly three decades advancing livable communities across the region. His leadership roles span the Georgia Conservancy, Metro Atlanta Chamber and Livable Communities Coalition, as well as serving as the first executive director of ULI Atlanta. He currently directs the Buckhead Community Improvement District and the Buckhead Coalition and serves on the MARTA Board of Directors and the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Transportation and Air Quality Committee.

“I’m deeply honored to receive this recognition from an organization that has meant so much to me and to Atlanta. ULI Atlanta has consistently played a vital role in shaping conversations around smart growth and community development in our region,” said Durrett. “I’m proud of the work we’ve done to foster vibrant, connected communities, and I’m grateful to be part of a network so deeply committed to building a better future.”

Also being recognized is Marc Pollack, co-founder of RangeWater Real Estate, who will receive the 2025 Industry Impact Award. With over 35 years of experience, Pollack has led the development, acquisition and disposition of more than 30,000 housing units, valued at over $4 billion. A passionate advocate for affordable housing, homelessness and community investment, Pollack co-founded the Atlanta Affordable Housing Fund in 2020 to create and preserve affordable housing in Atlanta. In addition, Pollack has been Board Chair of Partners for Home, the lead agency in the Continuum of Care for homelessness in the ATL. His latest venture, EQ Housing Advisors, is an Atlanta-based non-profit acquisition, development, investment and advisory firm dedicated to advancing affordable housing projects and nurturing emerging developers across the Southeast.

“Marc’s career exemplifies the spirit of responsible real estate development and long-term impact,” said Daphne Bond-Godfrey, Executive Director of ULI Atlanta. “He has built not only thriving communities, but has also created a culture of innovation and integrity in our industry. Marc is a passionate advocate for affordable housing and homelessness, which are critical mission priorities for ULI. He extends much of his civic leadership to these causes.”

Fifteen finalists for this year’s project awards have also been announced. Categories include Excellence in Adaptive Reuse, Mixed-Use Development, Residential Housing (Affordable and Market-Rate), the Public Realm, and Civic and Institutional Development. Winners will be announced at the ULI Atlanta Awards for Excellence Dinner on September 18, 2025, at The Foundry at Puritan Mill. Tickets can be purchased here.

“Jim and Marc embody the values that define ULI Atlanta: leadership, collaboration and a commitment to building inclusive, equitable communities that thrive for generations,” said Amanda Rhein, District Council Chair of ULI Atlanta. “Their impact is felt not only in the projects they’ve led, but in the relationships they’ve fostered and the shared vision they’ve helped cultivate within our ULI community. We are honored to celebrate their contributions as part of this milestone year.”

About the Urban Land Institute
The Urban Land Institute is a non-profit education and research institute supported by its

members. Its mission is to shape the future of the built environment for transformative impact in communities worldwide. Established in 1936, the institute has more than 48,000 members worldwide representing all aspects of land use and development disciplines. For more information on ULI, please visit uli.org, or follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

About ULI Atlanta

ULI’s District Council network spans 52 cities throughout North America and delivers ULI’s mission at the local level. ULI Atlanta has over 1,400 members throughout the Atlanta region and our broader geography which includes the entire state of Georgia and a satellite chapter in Savannah. ULI Atlanta is one of the largest and most active District Councils in the United States. More on ULI Atlanta atlanta.uli.org