Any news on the former River's Edge?

[TheArtist]

I think it looks horrible. They have turned their back on the park and have taken a great people watching spot and instead of improving that, have ruined it.  I didnt go there to look at the river. The river was a backdrop to the people, musicians, kids, bikeriders, rollerbladers, etc. Now its just the opposite. It was the unique, connected, interactive, space that was wonderful. Now its "seperate" from the flow of people and the park. UGH what a shame. What were they thinking!?  Instead of a people watching spot, its a river watching spot. Big whoop.  

[waterboy]

I think it looks horrible. They have turned their back on the park and have taken a great people watching spot and instead of improving that, have ruined it.  I didnt go there to look at the river. The river was a backdrop to the people, musicians, kids, bikeriders, rollerbladers, etc. Now its just the opposite. It was the unique, connected, interactive, space that was wonderful. Now its "seperate" from the flow of people and the park. UGH what a shame. What were they thinking!?  Instead of a people watching spot, its a river watching spot. Big whoop.  

I knew the day would come when I agreed with you on something. I don't care about the design style, its just okay. I just lament that it no longer is an interactive setting. I enjoyed watching the diners, dogs, kids, ducks etc. as I jogged by. Closest thing to a European open air plaza that we had.

And as far as the loud bikers, the restaurant won't matter. We hear them a half mile away rapping down Riverside starting the first sunny day over 60degrees.

[Townsend]

The River Parks Authority on Thursday approved a 30-year ground lease so that the Blue Rose Cafe can be resurrected on the east bank of the Arkansas River.

Tom Dittus, a member of Swamphouse Partners LLC, which is pursuing the project, said the goal is for patrons to be eating burgers and other meals at the restaurant by Feb. 15.


http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20090709_11_0_TheRiv809032

[Conan71]

Wow, start up and construction is only $392K?  I would have expected about double that.  If they are going to be serving by Feb. 15, they better get cracking.

[cannon_fodder]

I've been missing the Rivers Edge a TON this year.  At least a few times a month there will be a nice evening PERFECT for taking the family (including dogs) to the Rivers Edge.   

I hope the new place fills the gap.

[PonderInc]

Please tell me that the new place will allow dogs and kids....

If it's just another bar, I'll be sad.

[custosnox]

I've been missing the Rivers Edge a TON this year.  At least a few times a month there will be a nice evening PERFECT for taking the family (including dogs) to the Rivers Edge.   

I hope the new place fills the gap.

My dog has told me that he misses his hotdogs from there.  Honestly he did, you just have to speak dogenease

[Townsend]

Another step in the process down.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20090825_11_0_TeBado88531

Exception approved to resurrect Tulsa river restaurant

By KEVIN CANFIELD World Staff Writer
Published: 8/25/2009  2:53 PM
Last Modified: 8/25/2009  2:53 PM

The Board of Adjustment on Tuesday approved a special exception that will allow the owners of the Blue Rose Cafe to resurrect their restaurant on the east bank of the Arkansas River.

The restaurant will be on 4.5 acres in River Parks, bounded on the west by the river and on the east by Riverside Drive at 19th Street.

The roughly 2,600-square-foot restaurant will have seating for 90 people indoors and 110 to 120 patrons outdoors. It also will include floor-to-ceiling windows and a 12-foot water wall at the entrance.

For more than a decade, the Blue Rose Cafe was a popular restaurant at 35th Street and Peoria Avenue. In July, the River Parks Authority approved a 30-year ground lease so that the Blue Rose Cafe could be built along the river.

The restaurant is expected to open in mid-February.

Tom Dittus of Swamphouse Partners LLC, which is developing the project, said the company also plans to serve food out of the cabana that was formerly home to the River's Edge Bistro and Cafe.

That site is scheduled to open for business in late fall, Dittus said.

The special exception was required because a restaurant as an accessory to a park is not permitted under the property's current zoning.

[Conan71]

Another step in the process down.

"Tom Dittus of Swamphouse Partners LLC, which is developing the project, said the company also plans to serve food out of the cabana that was formerly home to the River's Edge Bistro and Cafe.

That site is scheduled to open for business in late fall, Dittus said. "

That's freaking awesome!!! Late fall for a little BR grub!

[PonderInc]

Here's the site plan from the BOA exhibit. 



I'm generally in favor of this development, but I hate to see the expanded parking lot gobbling up precious green space.  Plus, now it's a typical development that separates the use from the street with a parking lot.

I know they worked hard to make the site appropriate for trail users (their original parking concept would have required trail users to cross the parking lot entrance!), so this is certainly a safer and better design from that perspective.

When it comes to parking lots, I believe in both the chicken and the egg.  People walked and biked to Rivers Edge not only because it was an appealing destination that catered to trail users...but because neighbors knew that there was limited parking.  Walking was less of a hassle than hoping for a space in the parking lot.  Now, the bigger lot will attract more cars.  And it seems to eliminate a large space that was used by a myriad of people: playing catch, picnics on a blanket, frolicking with pets and kids, enjoying the music AND the green space...

What's that quote?  "If you build a great place for cars, you get more cars.  If you build a great place for people and pedestrians, you get more people and pedestrians."

The original Rivers Edge was an amenity for the park.  I'm a bit concerned that in the new plan, the adjacent park will simply be an amenity for the bar.

Not sure how to feel about this one.  Hope the reality will prove me wrong.

[Townsend]

Not to be overly simple and negative but the huge parking lot sucks.

[PonderInc]

Not to be overly simple and negative but the huge parking lot sucks.

True.  And succinct.

[sgrizzle]

Why does the parking lot need 3 entry/exit points?

[Conan71]

FYI- this job is out on the construction wires for bids, so it's definitely moving forward.

[cannon_fodder]

Not to be overly simple and negative but the huge parking lot sucks.

+1

I wish I could see a larger cite plan to get a feel for what areas will be parking lot now. Judging by the drawin, take the existing parking area and mirror it to the NW.   It appears everything that was the River's Edge, plus the sitting area, plus some of the area under the trees will be a parking lot (essentially the entire area that was claimed by River's Edge).   Then about 100 yards to the NW there is another lot.

Too bad.  I understand wanting to eliminate the green space immediately around the restaurant so people can't "freeload," but it won't help the sense of community or "blending in."  Nonetheless, if the choice is this or nothing - I'm glad it's going in. 

But I still miss the River's Edge.


http://maps.google.com/maps?source=ig&hl=en&q=Tulsa,+OK&ie=UTF8&split=0&gl=us&ei=OvifSpDZEs3fnQfKx-XlDQ&ll=36.133893,-95.99132&spn=0.003072,0.004823&t=h&z=18