120 new Brady District Lofts + retail

[TheArtist]

I think what gets people about this particular topic is that we can all imagine it being us. We can empathize with these developers.  

Many of us want to see downtown thriving. We want small developers to go in and take a chance. We can imagine putting in the hard work, money and time Will did. Create a dream, take a risk, do everything your supposed to be doing..... we can then also imagine how it would feel to be suddenly pushed aside, all that work effort and dreams dashed. That would feel horrible.

They were generous enough to reach out and try to work with the ballpark donors. But what they got was a cold shoulder. That would hurt. We can imagine that being us.

Its one thing for the donors and the TDA to get what they want. But the way they went about it in this instance was frankly mean spirited and immoral. They havent reached out to the Wilkenses in any way that I have seen. "Can we help you find some other property in or nearby this ballpark area?" "Perhaps we can work together to improve your development to help it fit our vision?" There are all kinds of possibilities where both could have helped the other. I seems that the developer was reaching out and then getting snubbed. And thats just absurd.



As for the donors having a say in what gets built around the ballpark and there being no "profit" in it for them.  Well we all know how much distrust there is in this town. So what about conflict of interest? Do they now get to decide which developer develops there? Developers they like and not the ones they dont? Contractors, businesses, supplier, etc. they like or have ties with, not the ones they dont?



I want the ballpark down there.  I want to have great development around it.  We have seen as one plan after another has fallen through for one reason or another and can imagine the frustration, we all feel it, and the desire to get it done whatever it takes once and for all... But the way this is going down stinks. This all could be handled in a much much better way. And its being set up in such a fashion that it will CONTINUE to be a source of frustration and anger for years and years to come. There is going to be constant suspicion of cozy dealings with the donors being able to offer up choice spaces to their friends or associated interests. They may not "profit" directly, but they can indirectly.  

[TheLofts@120]

I just came from the TDA Board meeting.  The item on the agenda was to be a discussion regarding Novus Homes Exclusive Negotiating Agreement.  It was pushed to the top of the list to discuss as several media were present to cover.

End result was the Board voted 3 in favor and 2 abstaining (after our request to recuse themselves).  I had requested that George Shahadi, VP Real Estate for Williams (Donor); Mr. John Clayman, attorney for Dorwart Law Firm (listed player by Tulsa World); and Ms. Paula Bryan-Ellis, recent appointee and with BOKF (Donor) in Community Development and the BOK Vice President to whom we had presented our project, at their request, back in February for possible financing and inclusion into the New Market Tax Credit Program.

On hand from media were Channel 6, Channel 8, Tulsa World, KFAQ's Chris Medlock and Urban Tulsa's Michael Bates.  I'm sure you will get a third party perspective from many of these sources so I wont go into much here.  

I regret the TDA took this step today, there was nothing to be lost in allowing the original time frame of September 4 to complete negotiations.  Of course, negotiations require two willing parties to have dialogue and we have never received that from the TDA staff, attorney, board or any other individual.

Their biggest argument was that they did not have all the information regarding the ballpark plans and how that would relate to this parcel of land.  My opinion is that when an authority is charged, as the TDA is, to do what's in the best interest of the public, and it does not take it upon themselves to ask the pertinent questions and get the information they need while having a negotiation, they have failed in their duty to perform.  

Again, it's unfortunate that they took this decision which sends a very clear and negative message to other potential developers as to how they could be treated.  

I also want to clarify one very important thing in regards to the posts by 'newbies' (yes, I know, I am one too)TulsaResearcher and TulsaFuture regarding purported financial informtion on myself.  This is not my financial information at all.  There are other William Wilkins within the Tulsa community.  I am 34 years old and would have had to been about 6 when some of this information was reported.  Myself and my company are in good standing financially and this has afforded us several opportunities to work with the TDA in the past.  I was made aware of the source of this information on Tuesday afternoon just prior to an interview.  I also made Michael Bates aware of it that evening but chose not to reply on this thread so as to not tip off those that intended to use this information against me at the meeting this morning.

As a Tulsa developer, it is still my intention to pursue my options on this matter and also to continue to find areas within the IDL and the City of Tulsa on which to develop.  I still firmly believe in this city and the potential it has for economic growth and redevelopment.  

My public releasing of any information has been in the interest of keeping all involved and aware of what has been taking place so that perhaps positive changes can eventually result.  I would still encourage each of you to make your voices heard at every opportunity to help this great city flourish.

Again, thank you to all of you that have provided support over the last several months.  I will go so far as to say that 120 Brady Village is not dead and we will be looking at our options as we move forward.  There will be a city council meeting on this issue again next Tuesday at 10:00 at old City Hall.

Will

[Double A]

quote:Originally posted by RecycleMichael

I do agree with the comment about this forum being full of negative nancies.

I don't know why it has been this way lately. Maybe it is the heat, maybe it has been the road construction everywhere I drive, maybe it is all President Bush's fault.

But everybody seems to be accusatory, defensive, suspicious and angry.

Negativity...I'm against it.

Personal attack removed.  Please make your point without impugning other members of this forum.

[carltonplace]

I'm sorry Will. I hope you will find another downtown spot for this development (lots of empty parking lots over at 10th and Cheyenne/Denver or around TCC). You have more support for this type of developement than you think, too bad its public support not city support.

[RecycleMichael]

quote:Originally posted by Double A
Only when you are not he one spewing it or it is about the administration that you are a toadie for. You are a walking contradiction, you ain't got no right. Maybe it's da Mare's fault.

Speaking of accusatory, defensive, suspicious and angry...

[MichaelBates]

quote:Originally posted by carltonplace

I'm sorry Will. I hope you will find another downtown spot for this development (lots of empty parking lots over at 10th and Cheyenne/Denver or around TCC). You have more support for this type of developement than you think, too bad its public support not city support.

Unfortunately, the land around 10th and Cheyenne and Denver is owned by Twenty First Properties / Embark, and they don't seem to want to do much with it. And TCC seems quite happy with its surface parking lots.

[Conan71]

This is a decided hose-job in my books.  Entrepreneurs like David Sharp, Pete Mayo,  Michael Sager, Elliot Nelson, etc. are largely responsible for the Brady area and near environs being viable now.  I thnk Will's project is in the same spirit as those who showed early faith in the area and hate to see this taken from him.

[unknown]

Can we get someone to clean up that huge oscn link? it is making the thread a pain in the donkey to read... or is it just me?

[TURobY]

Tulsa Development Authority ends negotiations on project in proposed ballpark area
- [Tulsa World]

[Renaissance]

quote:Originally posted by TURobY

Tulsa Development Authority ends negotiations on project in proposed ballpark area
- [Tulsa World]

quote: Before the vote, an emotional Taylor said she wants the bickering to stop.

"What's happening in our city right now is an attempt at the destruction of each other instead of lifting each other up," said the mayor, who was near tears.

Everyone interested in downtown revitalization should have a seat at the table, Taylor said. But the future development around the ballpark site has to amount to "a beautifully woven fabric."

Wow.

Honestly?  Get it together.  How tone deaf can she be?  It's not hard to see how this narrative has developed.  At least counter the narrative with a prepared statement regarding the specific plans/intentions of this "trust" and perhaps an offer of inclusion.  Don't cry about destruction and beautiful fabrics--give the entrepreneurs some credit for their vision.  How about a multicolored quilt, instead
of a "beautiful fabric?"

[Double A]

quote:Originally posted by RecycleMichael

quote:Originally posted by Double A
Only when you are not he one spewing it or it is about the administration that you are a toadie for. You are a walking contradiction, you ain't got no right. Maybe it's da Mare's fault.

Speaking of accusatory, defensive, suspicious and angry...

Righteous indignation and condemnation of the naked tyranny of Empress Kathy's and Emperor Kaiser's evil fascist empire. It's like Martin Luther at the Castle Church door or Jesus in the temple casting out the pharisees. Both great naysayers of their time, btw. Ya better believe it, babe.

If you're having girl problems, I feel bad for ya son.
I've got 99 problems, but being Kathy Taylor's b#*ch ain't one.

[Renaissance]

quote:Originally posted by Double A

quote:Originally posted by RecycleMichael

quote:Originally posted by Double A
Only when you are not he one spewing it or it is about the administration that you are a toadie for. You are a walking contradiction, you ain't got no right. Maybe it's da Mare's fault.

Speaking of accusatory, defensive, suspicious and angry...

Righteous indignation and condemnation of the naked tyranny of Empress Kathy's and Emperor Kaiser's evil fascist empire. It's like Martin Luther at the Castle Church door or Jesus in the temple casting out the pharisees. Both great naysayers of their time, btw. Ya better believe it, babe.

If you're having girl problems, I feel bad for ya son.
I've got 99 problems, but being Kathy Taylor's b#*ch ain't one.

Personal attack removed.

[RecycleMichael]

Save yourself Floyd.

At this point he is obsessed with me. He will attack me in any thread on any topic. Making him blather about you is not worth it.

Wait a minute, did he just compare himself writing on TulsaNow to Martin Luther and Jesus?

Much as it pains the moderator, personal attack on AA removed.

[Renaissance]

It's this August heat.  I'm going after the Mayor on one side and the "Voice of the Oppressed" on the other.  Maybe I'll go eat a popsicle and get off teh internets for a while.

[MDepr2007]

quote:Originally posted by Conan71

This is a decided hose-job in my books.  Entrepreneurs like David Sharp, Pete Mayo,  Michael Sager, Elliot Nelson, etc. are largely responsible for the Brady area and near environs being viable now.  I thnk Will's project is in the same spirit as those who showed early faith in the area and hate to see this taken from him.

But how sold out are the above and will they speak out for Will if not??