By Sandra Baker

sabaker@star-telegram.com

The Fort Worth foundation that funded the Burnett Park renovation, a Latino musical festival and an app for Sundance Square were among several winners honored Wednesday with Downtown Fort Worth Trailblazer Awards.

In their fourth year, the awards honor the most successful and innovative efforts in city center development and other contributions. The nonprofit advocacy group Downtown Fort Worth Inc. presented the awards.

"Even in the midst of a downturn, our center city has continued to grow and thrive in the past year," said Bob Jameson, chairman of Downtown Fort Worth Inc.

Bob Simpson and XTO Energy were honored with the top Renaissance Award for making "remarkable contributions" during the past 24 years.

During that time, the company, now owned by Irving-based Exxon Mobil, has bought several buildings and renovated more than 758,000 square feet of office and warehouse space. Those include 714 Main, the Bob R. Simpson Building, the Petroleum Building, the W.T. Waggoner Building and the Binyon-O'Keefe Warehouse.

In accepting the award, Simpson said that XTO Energy always embraced the tradition of Fort Worth in renovations and that its new owner will continue to support the community.

"There's value and treasure in our inheritance," Simpson said. "I've been reassured ... that this participation will continue under [Exxon's] leadership as it has in the past."

XTO was also presented the award for Preservation and/or Adaptive Reuse, honoring the work at 714 Main St. The 24-story office building was originally the Farmers and Mechanics Bank and then the Transport Life Building. XTO Energy bought the building in 2007 and has since renovated the property using original drawings and old photographs.

Former advertising executive Jack White was presented the Unsung Hero award. In 1972, White began gathering old photographs and taking pictures of the city. His collection of thousands of photos and slides is housed at the University of Texas at Arlington and is a resource for historians, architects, researchers and others.

The Chairman's Award went to Tarrant County. The Tarrant County Commissioners Court has been sensitive to the character of downtown in planning and executing expansions, the judges said.

For example, the new family law center features classic architecture, the new maximum-security jail is being built with pedestrians in mind, and the county's new Civil Courts Building has also won praise.

Other award winners and their categories were:

Green Space -- Burnett Foundation for Burnett Park

Samuel Burk Burnett deeded the land for Burnett Park, at Seventh and Lamar streets, for a public park. With the support of the Burnett Foundation, the park has been renovated, and it reopened in May. It now has a great lawn for concerts and other events, playground equipment for children, updated lighting and landscaping, and new tables and chairs.

Placemaking -- Musicarte, a Celebration of the Americas, presented by the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Musicarte is a two-day festival in Sundance Square where people learn about Latino history, heritage and culture. There are musical performances, winemaking demonstrations, culinary creations and artwork.

Promotion and Marketing -- Sundance Square Mobile Application

Sundance Square, the downtown entertainment, residential, shopping and office district, created an app that operates on smartphones with Internet access to keep customers up to date. Users can view event schedules, get information about shops and boutiques, check out Sundance Square restaurants and more.

Urban Design -- Caceria Building, Cotulla

Wagner Oil Co. developed the building three years ago at Fifth and Commerce streets on the site of the Mexican Inn restaurant. It has the feel of a 1920s midrise but features 21st-century amenities. The project also included facade improvements to the adjacent 500 Commerce St. building.

Sandra Baker, 817-390-7727