Go take a look at the OKC projects listed in a recent note in Chat. The scope and number is breathtaking. Tulsa is not just behind OKC -- Tulsa is not even on the same planet. Disgusting -- call the moving van. I am tired of this place -- most of you should be as well. Pathetic.
OkC seems to be in a whale of a revitalization mode for sure. They've got more things going on there than in Fort Worth. Where is all of the money coming from?
Yes I know at first blush it looks very impressive. And indeed I am jealous of the number of urban townhome/loft type developments they have going.
But many of those things are proposals. We have a whopper of a proposal that could happen with the East End. If any of that actually happens and you were to list each type of building and block, business, residence and hotel, it would look quite impressive.
Plus we have many other proposals which will start soon or are starting.
...( The Flats near downtown, different modern lofts on Cherry Street, new one by 41st and Peoria, new development on Brookside just broke ground, mixed use Crossroads Village, new shopping center Tulsa Hills, new TCC building downtown, etc.)
Plus we have many developments that are currently underway or just finished in the last couple years.
...( The large research building on the OSU Tulsa campus, several new buildings on the OU campus, new buildings on the TCC campus, childrens medical tower underway 61st Yale, that new contemporary addition just South of that, Tudor Cottages, Cancer Treatment Centers and all that stuff around it, Southcrest, Mayo lofts, each of The Kanbar Properties, the Philtower lofts, Jamies Pearl District, Utica Place, housing and other expansions at TU, several good sized office complexes near 91st and Yale and along 91st, BOK Arena, TASM and planetarium, Montereau(one of the largest recent building projects in Tulsa and often overlooked) etc. etc.
If you were to make a photo list of what has happened in the last couple years, is now and starting to happen, and all the proposals we have... you would come up with quite an impressive looking list of our own.
I was just thinking the other day how each decade leaves its mark on the cities skyline and landscape and was wondering how this decade would stack up. I was expecting to be underwhelmed but discovered that this decade will do quite nicely actually. (the number of buildings and expansions on a decade list would be very impressive, One Tech, St Johns Physicians, all that stuff by the BA in Tulsa, Hammons Hotel, Cherokee industrial, and all of the groups above) We may yet, in the final tally at the end of this decade, find that we have done just as well, or perhaps even better than OKC.
We have watched as this stuff slowly materializes around us and then look and suddenly see a list of what has been going on in OKC. That perspective can throw you.
OKC is also working on a great system of jogging/bike trails. They plan to connect the jogging trail that goes around Lake Hefner to other trails around the city. (I was reading a web site about it). Tulsa needs to get with it, the RiverSide trail pavement is old and cracking and crumbling. Tulsa has not build any new trails in the area for awhile. They should extend that RiverSide trail farther south down past 101st street. A city with good R&R activities will attract more business and new comers. It's no wonder that OKC is leaving Tulsa in the dust. OKC's population is also growing alot faster than Tulsa's.. The city of Tulsa proper lost population, but as a whole the Tulsa metro area gained, but OKC is still far ahead.
quote:
Originally posted by sauerkraut
OKC is also working on a great system of jogging/bike trails. They plan to connect the jogging trail that goes around Lake Hefner to other trails around the city. (I was reading a web site about it). Tulsa needs to get with it, the RiverSide trail pavement is old and cracking and crumbling. Tulsa has not build any new trails in the area for awhile. They should extend that RiverSide trail farther south down past 101st street. A city with good R&R activities will attract more business and new comers. It's no wonder that OKC is leaving Tulsa in the dust. OKC's population is also growing alot faster than Tulsa's.. The city of Tulsa proper lost population, but as a whole the Tulsa metro area gained, but OKC is still far ahead.
I guess you didn't hear the news about the Kaiser donation of more than $12 million to the River Park's Trails for improvements, implementing dual lanes, restaurants and civic space along the way?
(Link here) (//%22http://www.tulsabusinessjournal.com/article.asp?aID=44237%22) Or the recently completed Osage Prairie Trail that extends Tulsa's trails all the way to Skiatook? (Link Here) (//%22http://www.vision2025.info/category.php?mode=&category=osagetrail%22)
Oklahoma City isn't leaving anybody in the dust.
quote:
Originally posted by sauerkraut
OKC is also working on a great system of jogging/bike trails. They plan to connect the jogging trail that goes around Lake Hefner to other trails around the city.
Some correspondence I got from one of the organizers -- may sound familiar:
I'm currently working on a multi neighborhood project in Oklahoma City to encourage more walking outdoors, especially at night.
We plan to install a system of walking paths and sidewalks to connect several parks, neighborhoods and business districts as well as schools, nursing homes and churches. I am proposing that we not increase the glare-bomb lighting along this "greenwalk". Part of the area is designated "historic" and several of these neighborhoods are quickly installing "historic black light poles with globe lighting" that to me, create a lot of glare... Is this what's being called "disability glare?"
One specific request: in the past month or so I think I remember reading someone citing an annual FBI study that showed the majority of crime occurring during daylight hours. I could be wrong but that's what I remember. I'd like to be able to access that report or at least the quote about it. I think it was during the discussion related to the Chicago Alley study.
And one general request:
I could readily use support material to make a case for appropriately shielded street lights and decorative lights in street medians along the route of our 'greenwalks." Other successful examples in other cities?
to save energy, protect the night sky, increase safety through reducing glare... what else?
I've spoken with some light installers with our local utility company Oklahoma Gas And Electric, and they say they've never heard of "full-cutoff fixtures." I did get help from one OG&E employee who brought a globe down to let me spraypaint the sides with silver paint. He then re-installed it for me. It's better but not FCO.
I will appreciate any help,
thanks
quote:
Originally posted by TheArtist
Yes I know at first blush it looks very impressive. And indeed I am jealous of the number of urban townhome/loft type developments they have going.
But many of those things are proposals. We have a whopper of a proposal that could happen with the East End. If any of that actually happens and you were to list each type of building and block, business, residence and hotel, it would look quite impressive.
Plus we have many other proposals which will start soon or are starting.
...( The Flats near downtown, different modern lofts on Cherry Street, new one by 41st and Peoria, new development on Brookside just broke ground, mixed use Crossroads Village, new shopping center Tulsa Hills, new TCC building downtown, etc.)
Plus we have many developments that are currently underway or just finished in the last couple years.
...( The large research building on the OSU Tulsa campus, several new buildings on the OU campus, new buildings on the TCC campus, childrens medical tower underway 61st Yale, that new contemporary addition just South of that, Tudor Cottages, Cancer Treatment Centers and all that stuff around it, Southcrest, Mayo lofts, each of The Kanbar Properties, the Philtower lofts, Jamies Pearl District, Utica Place, housing and other expansions at TU, several good sized office complexes near 91st and Yale and along 91st, BOK Arena, TASM and planetarium, Montereau(one of the largest recent building projects in Tulsa and often overlooked) etc. etc.
If you were to make a photo list of what has happened in the last couple years, is now and starting to happen, and all the proposals we have... you would come up with quite an impressive looking list of our own.
I was just thinking the other day how each decade leaves its mark on the cities skyline and landscape and was wondering how this decade would stack up. I was expecting to be underwhelmed but discovered that this decade will do quite nicely actually. (the number of buildings and expansions on a decade list would be very impressive, One Tech, St Johns Physicians, all that stuff by the BA in Tulsa, Hammons Hotel, Cherokee industrial, and all of the groups above) We may yet, in the final tally at the end of this decade, find that we have done just as well, or perhaps even better than OKC.
We have watched as this stuff slowly materializes around us and then look and suddenly see a list of what has been going on in OKC. That perspective can throw you.
You put it all in perspective quite well, Artist. Tulsa has a lot going on as well. For one, I'm glad to see development going on in both cities, it's a good thing for Oklahoma.
quote:
Originally posted by doren50
Go take a look at the OKC projects listed in a recent note in Chat. The scope and number is breathtaking. Tulsa is not just behind OKC -- Tulsa is not even on the same planet. Disgusting -- call the moving van. I am tired of this place -- most of you should be as well. Pathetic.
Wow, thanks for stopping and creating a user name just to b!tch and say you're leaving.
quote:
Originally posted by AVERAGE JOE
quote:
Originally posted by doren50
Go take a look at the OKC projects listed in a recent note in Chat. The scope and number is breathtaking. Tulsa is not just behind OKC -- Tulsa is not even on the same planet. Disgusting -- call the moving van. I am tired of this place -- most of you should be as well. Pathetic.
Wow, thanks for stopping and creating a user name just to b!tch and say you're leaving.
Thats because its just DAVAZ again. Read his other 2 posts under this screenname. One is about how great Dallas is and the other is how Tulsa is in a time warp and is the land that time forgot. Sound familiar? Ho- hum.
TROLL
quote:
Go take a look at the OKC projects listed in a recent note in Chat. The scope and number is breathtaking. Tulsa is not just behind OKC -- Tulsa is not even on the same planet. Disgusting -- call the moving van. I am tired of this place -- most of you should be as well. Pathetic.
Yes leave .... that always solves the poblems! The only thing pathetic is you.
As absolutely annoying as Davaz might be, I think that he gets more of a thrill out of us responding to him, than of his expressing his own views. It's times like these that I am glad that I am a Tulsan who is NOT worried about what city is better. What I am worried about is how WE can make OUR home better.
Stole this from a different forum lol.
Some downtown developments for Tulsa.
1. 3rd and 4th Street improvements, new streets and sidewalks. (DOT project)
• New streets and sidewalks on 3rd and 4th from Denver to Elgin.
• In design phase, construction due to start summer '07
2. 11th St Bridge "The Cyrus Avery Bridge" and Avery Plaza (Vision 2025 Route 66 project)
• Basic restoration into a pedestrian bridge including sealing the bridge and adding decorative lighting and construction of Avery Plaza with the "Route 66 Experience" museum.
• Bridge is in design phase and the plaza has been put out to bid on construction.
3. Bank of Oklahoma Arena (Vision 2025 project)
• The 18,041 seat $183 million arena is under construction, due to be complete in mid '08
4. Boston Avenue Street Rehabilitation (2001 3rd Penny Sales Tax project)
• $5.5 million project to reconstruct Boston Avenue with new sidewalks, lighting and trees from 3rd St to 7th St and convert the street back to two way traffic all the way to 10th. Under construction and due to be complete in August '07
5. Boulder Avenue Bridge reconstruction (2006 3rd Penny Sale Tax project)
• This $4.8 million project will restore the bridge to vehicle and pedestrian traffic and will include new lighting and sidewalks.
• No date on construction yet
6. Brady Theater renovations (private project – Steve Alter and Matt Livingood)
• Renovations to the classic 1914 downtown convention hall by a private group
• In development stage
7. Centennial Green (Vision 2025 project)
• New urban park on the south side of CBD at 6th and Main encompassing half a full city block
• Design work should be complete and construction start soon
8. Centennial Walk (Vision 2025 project)
• 2.5 miles of update sidewalks with historical marker and way finding signage and new lighting and trees through downtown.
• Design work should be complete and construction start soon
9. Centennial Park Improvements (2001 Third Penny Sale Tax project)
• Newly landscaped park with fountains, canal, pond, and walking trails
• Just completed
10. Centennial Park Community Center (TIFF Funding project)
• New $1.9 million 12,000 square foot art deco inspired community center located at Centennial Park
• Just completed
11. Contemporary Art Museum and Artist Lofts (Public/Private Cooperative development)
• Conversion of the Matthews Warehouse into a contemporary art center with dwelling and work spaces for resident artists.
• Status is in development
12. Tulsa Convention Center (Vision 2025 project)
• This $40 million project includes renovation of The Tulsa Convention Center and conversion of existing arena into additional meeting space. Updating the 1960s era building in appearance and amenities while adding 21,000 square feet of new meeting space and proving links to The Bok Arena next door.
• Design work is under way and construction will begin after the Bok Arena is completed.
13. Crowne Plaza Hotel renovations (private project)
• $12 million in renovations to the downtown hotel to include a renovation of the entire hotel and the addition of a freestanding Starbucks and top floor restaurant.
• Under construction
14. Downtown DoubleTree Hotel renovations (private project)
• $2.5 million in renovations to the downtown hotel to include a renovation of the entire hotel
• Under construction
15. Downtown Way Finding system (2006 3rd Penny Sales Tax project)
• The Downtown Way Finding system will help to direct vehicles from the IDL and access points to structured and surface parking servicing the Arena and Convention Center. Pedestrian signage will assist in directing people to Vision 2025 venues and downtown landmarks and entertainment areas (Centennial Walk, Jazz Hall of Fame, Bartlett Square, Brady Village, Blue Dome District, etc.).
• In Development
16. The East End (Private development – Global Partners, probable TIFF portion)
• 1.9 million square foot development to include a minor league baseball stadium, 450,000 square feet of retail space, 3 hotels, 800 housing unit and 150,000 square feet of office space in 14 city blocks in a current industrial area on the east side of downtown.
• In development
17. TCC Metro Campus Center for the Advancement of Learning
• $10.5 million, 56,000 square foot building just south of the current downtown "Metro" campus that will house several departments of Tulsa Community College. computer information systems, journalism/communications, radio and broadcasting, television production, instructional design, graphic design, and the visual arts will all be relocated to this full city block facility.
• About to start construction
18. Village at Central (Centennial) Park
• Urban town home development next to Centennial Park
• Under Construction
19. McBirney Mansion (Private)
• The classic oil baron mansion overlooking the river is currently a Bed and Breakfast, the owners have proposed adding several buildings onto the property to covert the Bed and Breakfast into a small (80 room) 5-star boutique hotel
• Waiting on approval from planning commission
20. The Tudors (Private)
• Townhomes overlooking the river in the Mapleridge area just south of downtown
• Construction nearly complete
21. The Flats (Private)
• Five story mixed use building overlooking downtown and the river next to the Tudors
• About to start construction
22. Mayo Hotel Lofts (Public – Vision 2025/Private)
• Conversion of some of the upper floors of the former Mayo Hotel into lofts. 70+ lofts will be created as part of this project. Also, the first two floors of the Mayo are already in use as meeting and retail space. The top two floors will also be restored as restaurant and meeting space.
• In Development, approved by city and funding has been released
23. 420 Mayo (Public – Vision 2025/Private)
• Conversion of the upper floors of the Mayo Building (Separate from the Hotel) into nearly 100 lofts. First floor is currently retail space.
• Construction due to start this spring
24. Jacobs Hotel (Public – Vision 2025/Private)
• Conversion of the former Jacobs Hotel in 16 lofts in the Blue Dome district of downtown.
• Under Construction
25. ONG/Transok Building (Public – Vision 2025/Private)
• Conversion of the art deco former headquarters of Oklahoma Natural Gas in over 50 lofts.
• In development
26. Philtower conversion
• Conversion of floors 12-20 of the Philtower into 32 lofts. The bottom floor is retail and majority of the building will remain office space.
• Construction is recently completed and building is fully leased
27. McFarlin Building (Private)
• Formerly shuttered building downtown has been restored, bottom floor is retail, the upper three floors will be office space (for the development company), the second floor will be a New Orleans style restaurant and the basement a nightclub.
• Under construction
28. OSU Medical Center (State Funded)
• The state has leased (for 50 years) the former Tulsa Regional Medical Center downtown and the hospital is now the primary teaching hospital for The OSU School of Medicine. The state is also spending $40 million on upgrades to the hospital
• Underway
29. OSU Advanced Technology Research Center (State/Vision 2025)
• This $52 million 180,000 square foot center on the OSU Tulsa Campus will focus on the development of next generation composites and materials in demand for cutting edge applications within the aerospace, biotechnology, telecommunications, and manufacturing industries.
• Construction is nearing completion
30. Downtown Quiet Zone (3rd Penny Sales Tax/Federal)
• This project will "harden" street level rail crossings at Greenwood, Elgin, Cheyenne, First and Second streets in and near downtown. Once these crossings are hardened, train horns would be prohibited in or near downtown.
• Funded, in development
31. Vandever Building Hotel (Private)
• The owners of the McFarlin building (across the street) have purchased the former Vandever's department store building (currently used as office space) and plan to convert the building into a boutique hotel
• In development
32. Coney Island Building (Private)
• This former motel property one block east of the new arena has been purchased and is being remodeled back into a hotel.
• In Development
33. Tulsa Development Authority Property at 3rd and Denver/Towerview Property
• TDA offered their property for sale but was hampered from getting the kind of development proposals they sought due to the unreasonable price demanded by the out of state owner of the abandoned Towerview building next door and due to pending litigation between the current and former owners of the Towerview. A proposal for a Westin Hotel on the site was rejected due to demands made outside of TDA's scope of influence. TDA says they have another developer they are working with, but that developer does not want to work with the owner of the Towerview due to the legal problems and wants TDA to purchase the property. The Towerview was also heavily damaged by fire last month and is currently being razed.
• TDA is pursuing the purchase of this property.
quote:
Originally posted by doren50
Go take a look at the OKC projects listed in a recent note in Chat. The scope and number is breathtaking. Tulsa is not just behind OKC -- Tulsa is not even on the same planet. Disgusting -- call the moving van. I am tired of this place -- most of you should be as well. Pathetic.
Are we talking about the list I posted?
You've got to start someplace though right?
quote:
Originally posted by SoonerRiceGrad
quote:
Originally posted by doren50
Go take a look at the OKC projects listed in a recent note in Chat. The scope and number is breathtaking. Tulsa is not just behind OKC -- Tulsa is not even on the same planet. Disgusting -- call the moving van. I am tired of this place -- most of you should be as well. Pathetic.
Are we talking about the list I posted?
Yep. And I think we handily replied to the original post on this thread with a list of our own about Tulsa projects. Plus if you were to consider even just the immediate Tulsa suburbs projects which would fall weeell within a comparable OKC boundry. We would be doing even better. The Jenks Riverwalk and Aquarium, BA developments around the Bass Pro and their downtown, Convention center and stuff in Bixby, Sand Springs revitalization, etc. Remember, you could list every development in Tulsa county and still not be covering a development area the size of OKC.
Well that's because there's also Canadian and Cleveland counties...
And for the record I didn't mean to turn anybody off of Tulsa by posting that list. Inciting the rivalry we all know so well was the last thing on my mind ... in fact, there were at least give other sites that I just copied and pasted that list at.
I was just thinking maybe some people up where you guys are would be interested. Tulsa is picking up plenty of downtown steam and with Kanbar projects which will happen some day I hope and the East End which isn't dead I hope, Tulsa is not as far behind as people think it is. The BOk Center is a steadfast improvement over the Ford Center, albeit the cost issue and the fact that any money the Ford makes will be profit ... it is already paid off. Was before it opened doors.
As for the suburban projects, my response is ... who gives a rat's arse? Tulsa Hills turned out to be a huge disappointment, so you can take that off the list of impressive Tulsa projects.
I dont think you turned anyone off. It was just one psycho bad apple on a rant.
I don't think it was Davaz. Davaz hated the whole State of Oklahoma.
In case anyone wasn't sure, that was davaz. The reason he hasn't responded in so long is because he was shut down.