Mayo Building (Not Hotel)

[TulsaPride]

Not sure if this has already been commented on but the Mayo Building (in Bartlett Square) is apparently becoming a new downtown YMCA. I walked by at lunch and saw blueprints laying on the floor near the window. Some construction is going on inside as well. This is pretty cool if it actually come to be!

[Nik]

Does this mean more homeless around Bartlett Square? Would this replace the other Y only a few blocks away? I've never been to the Y downtown. Why would it be replaced/expanded? Nevertheless, I do know the Y is used frequently by many people so I'm glad to see something fill that building.

[OurTulsa]

Y's getting rid of thier homeless services.

[carltonplace]

Think "YMCA: Place to work out" instead of "YMCA: place to work out of"

[Gold]

I've heard for awhile that the current Y is supposed to go.  It has a terrible location and is in the way.  Any guesses what happens to that building/land?  More surface parking? [)]

[SXSW]

quote:Originally posted by Gold

I've heard for awhile that the current Y is supposed to go.  It has a terrible location and is in the way.  Any guesses what happens to that building/land?  More surface parking? [)]

Maybe it can be turned into afforable apartments?  I mean people have been living there all these years it couldn't be that difficult.  PLEASE no more surface parking!!

[Ibanez]

I hope they tear the old Y down. It is a disgrace. The entire corner of 6th & Denver is a collection of ugly donkey buildings.

The Y and the Community Care Building look like Soviet style architecture. The of course there is the courthouse which is ugly in its own special way.

[Nik]

The whole Civic square area looks aweful. I hate all those buildings. I was actually glad when City Hall moved just cause it meant that building may be torn down. Obviously, there were mixed emotions because of the money spent to buy, furnish and move to the new building. But man, its almost worth it.

[TulsaSooner]

If it's any consolation, new City Hall came fully furnished.  

[MichaelBates]

quote:Originally posted by wavoka

I hope they tear the old Y down. It is a disgrace. The entire corner of 6th & Denver is a collection of ugly donkey buildings.

The Y and the Community Care Building look like Soviet style architecture. The of course there is the courthouse which is ugly in its own special way.

From the center spread of Tulsa I. T., a 1957 tourist guide to "America's Most Beautiful City":

quote:
Tulsa county's new $4 million courthouse, the new inspiring YMCA, the fabulous Gilcrease Institute, Mohawk park and zoo, and the American Airlines Overhaul and Supply Depot are places and points of interest well worth seeing, even though they are off the beaten path of the Tulsa Tour.

The YMCA and the Courthouse make up two of the nine photos on the description of the Tulsa Tour -- two buildings most worthy of admiration and attention, according to the Chamber of Commerce in 1957. Funny how tastes change.

[booWorld]

The postcard principle?




Source:  USGenWeb Archives

[Hoss]

quote:Originally posted by MichaelBates

quote:Originally posted by wavoka

I hope they tear the old Y down. It is a disgrace. The entire corner of 6th & Denver is a collection of ugly donkey buildings.

The Y and the Community Care Building look like Soviet style architecture. The of course there is the courthouse which is ugly in its own special way.

From the center spread of Tulsa I. T., a 1957 tourist guide to "America's Most Beautiful City":

quote:
Tulsa county's new $4 million courthouse, the new inspiring YMCA, the fabulous Gilcrease Institute, Mohawk park and zoo, and the American Airlines Overhaul and Supply Depot are places and points of interest well worth seeing, even though they are off the beaten path of the Tulsa Tour.

The YMCA and the Courthouse make up two of the nine photos on the description of the Tulsa Tour -- two buildings most worthy of admiration and attention, according to the Chamber of Commerce in 1957. Funny how tastes change.

Stop living 50 years ago.  That is 99 percent of what is wrong with this community.  Our preponderance to living in the past.  We should celebrate it, but not try to hold on to it.

[Ibanez]

quote:Originally posted by MichaelBates

quote:Originally posted by wavoka

I hope they tear the old Y down. It is a disgrace. The entire corner of 6th & Denver is a collection of ugly donkey buildings.

The Y and the Community Care Building look like Soviet style architecture. The of course there is the courthouse which is ugly in its own special way.

From the center spread of Tulsa I. T., a 1957 tourist guide to "America's Most Beautiful City":

quote:
Tulsa county's new $4 million courthouse, the new inspiring YMCA, the fabulous Gilcrease Institute, Mohawk park and zoo, and the American Airlines Overhaul and Supply Depot are places and points of interest well worth seeing, even though they are off the beaten path of the Tulsa Tour.

The YMCA and the Courthouse make up two of the nine photos on the description of the Tulsa Tour -- two buildings most worthy of admiration and attention, according to the Chamber of Commerce in 1957. Funny how tastes change.

Still driving an Edsel?

[SXSW]

I think the YMCA building looks fine, and would make a great place for affordable apartments.  I like those large windows which could be replaced with something more modern.  Also you could liven up the street with some retail space.

[cannon_fodder]

I think it looks drab and outdated, but could make for a fine place for apartments.  TCC/OSU or even TU students, people just moving to town, even extended stay rentals, or just average Joe that works and wants to live downtown.  The ground level could make for some retail space as that area has plenty of foot traffic.  As apartments the area would even have round the clock potential as its' residence as well as Renaissance Uptown residence are right there.

The building itself is not in bad shape as I understand it, just dated.  So be it.  I'm sure a clever architect could find a way to hide some of the features that make it dated and spruce it up a bit.  Enough to make it respectable anyway.

Downtown needs affordable housing also.  Not as a "poor" housing euphemism, but in the $600-800 a month range.    "Dated" is not a reason to tear it down, especially when we have so many empty lots downtown already.