Mcbirney and Cordell Buildings

[PonderInc]

Here's an article from the OKC Journal Record (2/8/06) that's ironic to read now. http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4182/is_20060208/ai_n16051130

Interesting excerpts:
"Wandres said the demolition of the McBirney and Cordell buildings are part of a plan created by Downtown Tulsa Unlimited and the city back in 2000. The two buildings date back to the early 1900s, but neither structure is listed on the state or national historic registries."

"But after meeting with community leaders, Wandres said, developers agreed to preserve the facade of the McBirney building as part of the city's Art Deco collection.

Recently, downtown Tulsa was placed on Preservation Oklahoma's list of endangered landmarks. The organization said too many historic buildings were being razed for surface parking, which comprises about 46 percent of downtown.

But Wandres said plans do not call for a surface parking lot where the older buildings stand. He said Pocasset is working with architects to make the area more pedestrian friendly, including planting climbing vines along the north wall of the McFarlin building."

Oh yeah, and whatever happened to all that stuff about a downtown daycare center and making the lower level of the plaza a children's playground?

[sgrizzle]

They've added a second staircase to the lower level which nixes the playground idea.

As a followup to the above, supposedly the facades were not in the condition to be saved. Still doesn't explain why we got parking instead of people.

And for pete's sake, get rid of the escalators.

[AVERAGE JOE]

And developers wonder why they have such a bad reputation and residents fight them at every turn.

[USRufnex]

Residents?

Who actually lives/lived there?

[AVERAGE JOE]

quote:Originally posted by USRufnex

Residents?

Who actually lives/lived there?

I was speaking in general terms. As in, average citizens.

[PonderInc]

One of the things Alan Hart talked about when he visited Tulsa last year was an analysis of why citizens "fight" or question development/developers.  

There are a few different possibilities:
1. Lack of trust (either the citizens have been disappointed/lied to in the past, or they aren't being treated respectfully in the present).
2. Lack of communication (developers have not adequately communicated the who/what/where/when/whys...and once they do, people are often OK with the plans)
3. They have a legitimate gripe. (Sometimes, when average citizens are hollering, they have a valid issue, and developers can do themselves a favor by listening and responding to create trust....see #1 above.)

[cannon_fodder]

at least put in a lot like the square across from Ziegler's, where there is at LEAST some interest to the lot.  The little 3/4 walls and a small facade.  Not only does it look nice, but it serves to shield the lot from passersby.