Book It - Central Library / City Hall / YMCA / Etc....

[Jitter Free]

In one of today's editorials headed "Book It", the TW opines on the structural / mechanical status of Central Library and puts forth the facts / opinions for moving Central Library to a new location instead of repairing it.  Here is the link for anyone who missed it:  http://www.tulsaworld.com/opinion/article.aspx?subjectid=61&articleid=20090528_61_A12_TheTul478967

I don't know if I am either for or against moving Central Library.  The last time I was there was 2 years ago to do some research into old newspapers dating back to the early 1900s.  The last time before that was probably 10 years earlier.  My first thoughts on the idea are sort of even keel--neither good nor bad. 

However, the first thing that did come to mind to me though is that this probably has less to do with the structural / mechanical status of Central Library as it does for tearing down the building to make room for new development in close proximity to the arena.

The old City Hall is already vacant and will either be torn down or remodeled (I think I have heard as a hotel).  The YMCA building is set to be torn down.  When Mayor Taylor applied to the Obama Administration, TW had an article saying some of the funds she was applying for was to buy the Federal Building (which is next to the Arena).  So, there are only two buildings left to be dealt with the old Central Library building and the Tulsa County building / courthouse.

I would simply preferred an editorial just stating the facts:  The old Central Library is in despirate need of repair and it makes more sense (from a long term economic development standpoint) to move the library instead of repair it because the land it sits on is too valuable for economic development puruposes (being in close proximity to the areana) given the efforts to revitalize downtown Tulsa.

[SXSW]

Why are they tearing down the YMCA? 

[FOTD]

In one of today's editorials headed "Book It", the TW opines on the structural / mechanical status of Central Library and puts forth the facts / opinions for moving Central Library to a new location instead of repairing it.  Here is the link for anyone who missed it:  http://www.tulsaworld.com/opinion/article.aspx?subjectid=61&articleid=20090528_61_A12_TheTul478967

I don't know if I am either for or against moving Central Library.  The last time I was there was 2 years ago to do some research into old newspapers dating back to the early 1900s.  The last time before that was probably 10 years earlier.  My first thoughts on the idea are sort of even keel--neither good nor bad. 

However, the first thing that did come to mind to me though is that this probably has less to do with the structural / mechanical status of Central Library as it does for tearing down the building to make room for new development in close proximity to the arena.

The old City Hall is already vacant and will either be torn down or remodeled (I think I have heard as a hotel).  The YMCA building is set to be torn down.  When Mayor Taylor applied to the Obama Administration, TW had an article saying some of the funds she was applying for was to buy the Federal Building (which is next to the Arena).  So, there are only two buildings left to be dealt with the old Central Library building and the Tulsa County building / courthouse.

I would simply preferred an editorial just stating the facts:  The old Central Library is in despirate need of repair and it makes more sense (from a long term economic development standpoint) to move the library instead of repair it because the land it sits on is too valuable for economic development puruposes (being in close proximity to the areana) given the efforts to revitalize downtown Tulsa.

When real estate developers lie, they go to debtors hell........

[FOTD]

Why are they tearing down the YMCA? 

They pave paradise? Nah, the Y is really an obsolete POS.

Libraries are so 1900's.....especially the oversized ones....shouldn't this void be filled by all the museums and universitys? Nope, us taxpayers get to foot the bill for this largeness.

And the demon was certain this was the age of technology.

[Conan71]

"People who speak in metaphors can shampoo my crotch."

[PonderInc]

The library is the only building in the Civic Center plaza that I like (minus the recent, weird "add-ons").  I'm happy if they want to move to a new location, but I would hope there is a good use for the building other than tearing it down.

(The last time this issue came up, the plan was to build a new library and consolidate multiple County offices into the old library building.  This made sense to me.)

[Hometown]

I have gone on at length before about how I believe the entire civic center development is a Mid-Century Modern classic and worthy of restoration.  The YMCA is part and parcel of the same. 

But apparently a consensus has formed among some movers and shakers that Denver needs to be redeveloped into an entertainment district.  One would guess that those same movers and shakers have given up on ever bringing any significant new "meat and potatoes" business to Tulsa and have decided that our best shot at a life is to restyle ourselves as a sort of mini Vegas complete with a Branson Landing on our river. 

My first response is to question when were those decisions made, by whom, and under what authority?

The Tulsa I grew up in was, and believe still is, a family orientated town that doesn't condone heavy drinking or the kind of underworld activities that Gaming brings.

I know that there were legal developments that opened up gaming on Indian land and that some gaming is inevitable and probably good, but for the city to now hang its hat on being a Gambling Town runs against the grain of the people in this community.

Tulsa should not throw away four decades of public investment in the walkable concentration of government buildings called civic center.  Tulsa should preserve her historic buildings, and "yes Gladis, history didn't stop with the demise of Art Deco."  And Tulsa should nuture attributes condusive to family life like making major investments in our public school system.

Let people here have a choice and I don't believe they will support a Denver Avenue Entertainment District.

It's past time to let the sunshine in and open up any discussions about an entertainment district to the public.