Downtown is alive!

[RecycleMichael]

I am just stunned about how many people think that the new improvements downtown haven't had an impact. Yes, it is a result of private entreprenuers, but some of those gamblers were able to get started or financed because of the arena event list and the investment of new roads and soon to be ballparks. 

I have been working downtown for 40 years, starting as a child stockboy in a clothing store at Fifth and Main. I have worked in all parts, from Blue Dome to the Civic Center complex, from the Skelly building to Seventh and Houston. I lived in the apartments that are now Central Park Condos and have involved in renting or owning commercial property from warehouse to class A office.

I have been on the Mayfest board for years and years, am honored to be involved in Dfest, and have driven an electric car in the PSO Christmas parade. I have been to a wedding, basketball game or have swam in every downtown church and the YMCA and have eaten at every downtown restaurant so often that they greet me like Norm on the "Cheers" TV show.

I have spent considerable time downtown.

Downtown Tulsa nightlife used to be an oxymoron. It isn't anymore. On Tuesday, we waited in line to eat Mexican food, but also found a gift shop open at 7pm for shopping. Tonight, I saw hundreds of concert fans hanging around the BoKCenter as I left work and lines of people buying coneys at Fourth and Cheyenne. There was dozens of people on every block around the Blue Dome area. I stopped by the pizza place in the middle of the afternoon and he had a big crowd watching golf and eating slices.

Friends of mine have spent a lot of money with a development plan to be announced soon and I am excited about the improvements to the Convention Center and the new museum in the Brady district. The Mayo lofts, the First Street lofts and the Marriott going into the Atlas Life building all open soon which mean more people at night. 

I know some of who guys see me as a cheerleader, but I don't mind. I was there when downtown Tulsa lived and I was there when downtown Tulsa died. It is back to life and the future is bright.

[Red Arrow]

I have been working downtown for 40 years, starting as a child stockboy in a clothing store at Fifth and Main. I have worked in all parts, from Blue Dome to the Civic Center complex, from the Skelly building to Seventh and Houston.

I'm glad you finally found a job you could keep. 

[TheArtist]

You know what I noticed a while back... was the difference just the Philtower lofts has made. Few years back you would not see any, zilch, cars or people along that area of Boston Ave after work hours. Now in the evenings you see cars along that street and the occasional people going in and out of the building. Its really a small change, but when you start thinking about the Atlas Hotel coming online, The Mayo Building lofts, and the Mayo Hotel and lofts... Each thing is adding just a bit more life. Nothing to go crazy about lol, but my goodness going down those streets and actually seeing a few cars and some people out and about is a real change lol. Sad that so few cars and people is such a noticeable difference, but there it is.

[Red Arrow]

You know what I noticed a while back... was the difference just the Philtower lofts has made. Few years back you would not see any, zilch, cars or people along that area of Boston Ave after work hours. Now in the evenings you see cars along that street and the occasional people going in and out of the building. Its really a small change, but when you start thinking about the Atlas Hotel coming online, The Mayo Building lofts, and the Mayo Hotel and lofts... Each thing is adding just a bit more life. Nothing to go crazy about lol, but my goodness going down those streets and actually seeing a few cars and some people out and about is a real change lol. Sad that so few cars and people is such a noticeable difference, but there it is lol.

Reversing the downward trend is the first step.  Hopefully Tulsa has made that step.

[DolfanBob]

If I was single and had no children to raise. I would love to live Downtown. A loft apartment would be cool. I have only been in Liberty Towers a few times and the view to the South and West is awsome. I would even like a home right on Riverside so I could take part in all that is new there too.
But alas I am old and no longer as desirable and paying a large toll for my offspring.   

[swampee]

Ive been going downtown almost every weekend the past month and have been excited about what Im seeing. The crowds are picking up and it already has a different feel than the uninviting ghost town feel I felt when I moved to Tulsa two years ago. Only negative was my wife, our baby, and I did go for a walk through the city on a Saturday afternoon and there was nothing open. We wanted to stop for a sandwich and a drink but we had to walk over to that mexican restaurant in the Brady. We really need to get people living down there to bring in the conviences.

[cannon_fodder]

A friend was in from out of town over the weekend.  He wanted to take some pictures of night scenes in Tulsa (he is a photographer by trade and as a hobby).  We went to Brookside and it was busy.  Cherry Street and there were some good groups of people moving about.  The Blue Dome was active and the Brady had some life (nothing going on at Caines that night, nothing at the BOk Center - so not that hoppin' but still doing fine).  He was impressed with Tulsa's nightlife even though there wasn't an "event'" going on.

[mjchamplin]

...The crowds are picking up and it already has a different feel than the uninviting ghost town feel I felt when I moved to Tulsa two years ago.

I moved back to Tulsa at about the same time. Just think about how much more there is to do down there since two years ago: El Guapo's, Dilly Deli, Joe Momma's, Elote...and I'm sure plenty of bars and clubs...I know that a few years ago I'd come back from Stillwater for the weekend and wanted to spend more time downtown but the offerings were limited. Spaghetti Warehouse? No thanks.

So far it's been a lot of restaurants and nightclubs. What I look forward to seeing is more retail--which I imagine will come with additional downtown living spaces opening up like the Mayo and 1st Street, etc. Boutique shops like Dwelling Spaces and the like.

[sgrizzle]

A friend was in from out of town over the weekend.  He wanted to take some pictures of night scenes in Tulsa (he is a photographer by trade and as a hobby).  We went to Brookside and it was busy.  Cherry Street and there were some good groups of people moving about.  The Blue Dome was active and the Brady had some life (nothing going on at Caines that night, nothing at the BOk Center - so not that hoppin' but still doing fine).  He was impressed with Tulsa's nightlife even though there wasn't an "event'" going on.

I have noticed the same thing. Come downtown for dinner and have to wait for a table.. on a Tuesday.

[Weatherdemon]

There was more going in downtown 20 years ago than 5 years but it is quickly catching up.

I knew the BOK Center would do well but I honestly NEVER would have thought it would be a top 10 worldwide venue in terms of ticket sales the first quarter of this year. IIRC, that doesn't even account for the AC/DC concert because they are still processing refunds due to the ice storm.
I believe if there were 10K sold to that concert then the BOK would have been a Top 5 venue.
Just incredible.

My sisters asked where we could eat downtown before the Nickleback show and were shocked at how many places I sent them.

I loved reading the post talking about a wait at an eatery downtown... on a freaking Tuesday night! Awesome!

All of this during a recessions.

And, from what I have seen, downtown is only about 1/4 as lively as will become in the next couple of years!