Any news on the former River's Edge?

[southerngirl]

We spent quite a bit of time in Riverparks this weekend with the nice weather, and there's such a void with River's Edge being closed.  Supposedly there were plans for a new restaurant to go in- has anyone heard anything?  What might go in and/or timing?  Spring is fast approaching...

[sgrizzle]

I've heard some lofty plans that involve a much larger restaurant. They may leave River's edge vacant because of that plan.

[cannon_fodder]

Well, I hope there is a small gathering place that serves up some brews, nachos, and live music that attracts the diverse crowd the Rivers Edge did.  I loved that place.   Just a good place to "get out" that you would bring the entire family and not really do anything, just enjoy being outside.

[PonderInc]

I worry about anything "big" going in.  Too big and you spoil what was great about River's Edge.  Not to mention that a bigger establishment means you'd have to add all the parking that our illustrious zoning code would require.

"Call something paradise, kiss it goodbye...."

I hate it that you have to get a variance for reduced parking.  We should set the maximum parking, and require developers to prove hardship for increasing it!  (Especially anywhere near our city's premiere greenbelt.)

[sgrizzle]

The "big" concept would actually float the restaurant and parking above riverside drive.

[Conan71]

I think Joe Mama's III or another Little Chicago Pizzeria should go where River's Edge was.  Either that or let's get the Barazza brothers to bring back Boston Ave. Street Skates to that location.  May not be profitable, but since when has that been a recent concern in our economy?  You don't need to make a profit, you just need people to believe in your bull **** and keep dumping money into your pipe dreams.  The Barazza brothers seemed to operate on the same principal our banks and mortgage companies have been operating on. []

Let's get some bail-out action to re-open and subsidize River's Edge!

[southerngirl]

Received an almost answer on this today, with what sounds like the final coming tomorrow.  Sounds great, just wish it wasn't a year away.

www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20090311_11_A13_Thesea528327

I'm sure both proposals have merit and I will happily patronize either one, but....I would really like to see the Tom Dittus project work out.  The Blue Rose is such a great Tulsa tradition and I like how their design goes out over the river.

[Wilbur]

I had heard McNellie's.

[cannon_fodder]

Going out over the water is a cool design, but being elevated it cuts the place off from the bulk of traffic in the area.  It sets it apart from the scene instead of making it part of the scene.  I liked how the Rivers Edge was just part of the landscape and people were all around it - even if it wasn't their destination.

So long as it brings back a place for a very diverse group of people to gather at the river parks and "chill" on nice days, I'm happy with it.  Just having a restaurant there that was like any other would not satisfy me.  To me, the point is to draw families down there to kill a nice evening. 

[charky]

Going out over the water is a cool design, but being elevated it cuts the place off from the bulk of traffic in the area.  It sets it apart from the scene instead of making it part of the scene.  I liked how the Rivers Edge was just part of the landscape and people were all around it - even if it wasn't their destination.

So long as it brings back a place for a very diverse group of people to gather at the river parks and "chill" on nice days, I'm happy with it.  Just having a restaurant there that was like any other would not satisfy me.  To me, the point is to draw families down there to kill a nice evening. 

Agree. Not crazy about the water design...but I'd love to see Tom back in the game!

[sauerkraut]

I don't think the Arkansas River area should be over-built up, IMO it's best in it's natural state. All that is really needed to enjoy the river area is a nice wide jogging trail and a few picnic tables and maybe a small restaurant or two and that should be about all. Austin, Texas has a Riverwalk area that is choked with buildings and crowds, I don't think that would be a good idea.

[pmcalk]

I would love to have a McNellies down the street from me.

At the risk of being booed, I am not so excited about a biker bar being down the street from me.

Blue Rose was not a place to take the whole family.  McNellies attracts people of all ages.  My vote would be for Elliot Nelson's plan.

[southerngirl]

I was very curious, so I made some phone calls to see what happened at the meeting this morning- Tom Dittus' project got the go-ahead. 

To clarify, from the articles I read in TW and UT and the interviews on the news yesterday, Eliot Nelson's project was not another McNellie's.  I'm sure they would have beer, but it was more of a hot dog and burger place.  By the same token, I don't think they will be completely recreating the Blue Rose.  Both parties mentioned understanding the need for it to be a family-friendly place.  As for the "bikers", most of those are white-collar professional guys who put on black leather chaps and ride a couple of hours on the weekend (I'm married to one).

I'm just excited to have something new and improved on that spot.  Again, wishing it wouldn't take so long, but I'm sure it will be worth the wait.

[Renaissance]

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20090312_11_0_RiverP587626

Blue Rose Cafe to be resurrected on the river

By P.J. LASSEK World Staff Writer
Published: 3/12/2009  9:49 AM
Last Modified: 3/12/2009  10:37 AM

River Parks Authority on Thursday directed staff to negotiate a contract with Tom Dittus to resurrect the Blue Rose Cafe on the east bank of the Arkansas River.

Dittus was one of two local restaurant entrepreneurs to submit a proposal for a riverfront, full-service restaurant to replace the former River Edge Bistro and Cafe at 19th Street.

Elliot Nelson, who owns El Guapo's and McNellie's also submitted a plan.

The restaurant site will sit on about a 3.81 acres bounded on the west by the river and on the east by Riverside Drive at 19th Street.

For more than a decade, the Blue Rose Cafe was a popular restaurant located on Brookside. Dittus closed the cafe in 2001 to dedicate his time and resources to his late brother, who at the time was undergoing cancer treatments in Germany.

For more information, read Friday's Tulsa World.
By P.J. LASSEK World Staff Writer

Looks pretty cool!   

[pmcalk]

I was very curious, so I made some phone calls to see what happened at the meeting this morning- Tom Dittus' project got the go-ahead. 

To clarify, from the articles I read in TW and UT and the interviews on the news yesterday, Eliot Nelson's project was not another McNellie's.  I'm sure they would have beer, but it was more of a hot dog and burger place.  By the same token, I don't think they will be completely recreating the Blue Rose.  Both parties mentioned understanding the need for it to be a family-friendly place.  As for the "bikers", most of those are white-collar professional guys who put on black leather chaps and ride a couple of hours on the weekend (I'm married to one).

I'm just excited to have something new and improved on that spot.  Again, wishing it wouldn't take so long, but I'm sure it will be worth the wait.

Just to clarify--I have no issues with "bikers" (most of whom probably make more money than me)--it's the noise level of the bikes that concerns me.  And my recollection of the Blue Rose was that it was much more of a bar than a restaurant, which is why I wouldn't take kids there.  But if he is going to try an build more of a family friendly place, than I have no problems.  I'm just hopeful we won't have swarms of bikes driving around here (or someone finds a way to force them to be quieter).