MUD ISLAND

[AMP]

http://www.kotv.com/e-clips/?id=4979

[sgrizzle]

It's funny how many developments people like this the majority of the public says is dumb, and then suddenly they can't build them fast enough.

[waterboy]

There were some major differences. It happened over a large span of time. First, it was a natural island. Then the corps strengthened the island's walls. The city built a bridge to the islands, though one wonders why. Then there was a developer who started building.

The river is more predictable there as well. But it did look cool.

[Double A]

The style of the homes in that story would definitely be in character with Tulsa's walkable self sustaining neighborhoods. It looks like they got it right.

[sgrizzle]

Google map

http://www.google.com/maps?hl=en&client=firefox-a&near=Memphis,+TN&cid=0,0,9213228272236040850&ie=UTF8&om=1&z=16&ll=35.164389,-90.052743&spn=0.011595,0.026286&t=k&iwloc=addr

[cannon_fodder]

On the above linked google map...

Follow MUD ISLAND all the way to the southern tip.    If you look East, the nearest street running into the river is BEALE STREET.  

At the U Tulsa Liberty Bowl last December/January a buddy and I staggered to the end of Beale and came to the river.  Naturally, swimming in the ice cold water out to MUD Island seemed like a great idea.  As it turn out, its further than it looks and about 30 yards into the swim I/we decided this was not a good idea.  I attribute that to the sobering effects of 40F water on my 98F self.  We staggered back to our crap hole hotel (next to the greyhound station, across from the ballpark) after a find meal of Denny's across from the Peabody.

Got some strange looks as I attempted to drink the cold away while dripping water from the old muddy.  Then got sick several days later from lack of sleep, too much booze, poor diet, and maybe that little swim had something to do with it.  Maybe.

Good times.

[tshane250]

The Mud Island development is cool and all, but I would certainly not want something with such low density to be built between 11th Street and 31st Street.  That area needs to be much denser.  You need to maximize the number of people on what available land there is for a strong retail (sales tax) base.  Now further south, say between 31st and 71st, I could see this type of development near the river, but no islands, unless privately funded.  

This type of development would be ideal for north Tulsa - the area around OSU-Tulsa specifically.  It's walkable, has a relatively high density, and it's all the rage nowadays.

[NCTulsan]

There is a great deal Tulsans could learn from Memphis.  Just 20 years ago, Memphis was the most depressed city I'd visited.  Today, it is flourishing in so many respects I would have never guessed back in the late 1980s.  The two cities have so many similarities, and I've never understood why Memphis is not more of a destination for Tulsans (only a 6-hour drive) the way Dallas and Kansas City have always been.  Good news story by KOTV.  Thanks for posting, AMP.

[cannon_fodder]

If you get outside the Beale Street/Tourist area Memphis is a whole heartedly depressing city.  Within 5 blocks of Beale there are areas that are downright scary, abandoned, and/or just unwelcoming.  Anyone that was able left the city to the suburbs decades ago and most of the city continues to rot.

As for why it is more of a tourist destination that Tulsa:

Large, Pro Sports, History, transportation hub (on the Mississippi + Major International Airport + FedEx + rail hub + interstate junction), international renowned Beale Street, BB King,  Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson & the blues, place where MLK was shot plus other civil rights events, Elvis & Graceland,  hand crafter-tourist oriented downtown, BBQ, major University (U of Memphis at 20,000 students with top tier Bball program & facilities), a couple hours from class III gaming, and its about as far West s most east coast dwellers will go before skipping off to California.

other than that, I cant think of much.  Though half of that Tulsa could get if it tried.