Brady District

[TheArtist]

  Interesting.  I was recently asked to possibly paint a sign on a new business going in the Blue Dome. They wanted it to look old and worn as if it had been there from ages ago and the paint had worn off.  That "grungy old warehouse" look is, well,,, just a different type of look.  I was on another forum a while back where people were arguing about which city had the "best grunge" lol.  I was actually lamenting how we have so little lol.  There are plenty of other places in town that have that brand spankin new look, or the "Tuscan" look, etc. if you prefer that. But don't begrudge us our little bit o kewl grunge  

[Red Arrow]

I didn't say I wanted new Tuscan.  I just don't care for the run-down, neglected look.  Old but well maintained is great.  It wouldn't surprise me if I am out of touch with fashion.  I am probably influenced by my younger (sub-teen) days when we had to drive through some of the less affluent parts of Philadelphia to take dad to Phila Int'l Airport.  I still remember thinking I never want to live like that.

20 something was a long time ago.

[RecycleMichael]

I am with you Red Arrow.

I think the old and beat up look is OK, but I think the cleanly painted and freshened up look is much better to me.

[heironymouspasparagus]

What was said;

I'm no entrepreneur, but I've got some ideas for the Pawn Shop..
Basically, any retail in that space besides the pawn shop woulb be great.
I think it'd clean up great.

Any retail in that space besides the pawn shop would be great.  IOW, get rid of the pawn shop so something more "yuppie worthwhile" and/or esthetically pleasing to the sensibilities.  What if Ray wants to continue to run the pawn shop there? 

Well, I guess removal would be for the greater good....THAT is the 1970 urban renewal attitude I am talking about!

Repair of windows and some paint would do wonders, but then there goes the grunge!

I still submit there is more than enough bare land a block away to do all the nouveau-riche yuppie boutique crap anyone could stand without touching the place.  I'm thinking Old Navy.  Or Abercrombie.  Would that Tulsa have the foresight to require any new building to maintain some sense of architectural consistency to the area...

[Red Arrow]

I actually find a lot of "new" stuff to be sterile and lacking character.  I believe it is more a matter of the design rather than the newness of it.

Since Artist brought up that grunge is kewl, I spent my fair share of time a dive bar in Va Beach when I was in the Navy in the early 70s.  I enjoyed my time there.  I went the first time with some friends.  It was not a place I would have gone into solo. As I got to know the other customers, some became good friends.  I got to know the owner and managers.  I even helped move and reconstruct the bar (not the building, just the part where you can sit, drink, and talk with the bartender) when another portion of the building became availalble and the bar (space available for the business) expanded. I went there in spite of the appearance, not because of it.  The EM Club on base was a nicer building but it wasn't as fun. (Except the EM Club did sometimes have topless dancers during the lunch hour.)

The point I am trying to make is that I believe downtown can have its grunge but will need something between grunge and new Tuscan (or really new anything) to get beyond a core clientele.

[BKDotCom]

What if Ray wants to continue to run the pawn shop there? 

Then the building will continue to fall into disrepair.
Maybe it's tough love.  The building is old enough that it should be able to take care of itself.

In my original post, I was trying to say that it'd be nice to have someone with the resources to restore the place occupying the place.    Be it pawn-shop, grocery-store, tattoo parlor, bail-bondsman, or boutique shop.

Apparently you're a good friend of Ray
I didn't mean to offend

[rdj]

 Interesting.  I was recently asked to possibly paint a sign on a new business going in the Blue Dome. They wanted it to look old and worn as if it had been there from ages ago and the paint had worn off.  That "grungy old warehouse" look is, well,,, just a different type of look.  I was on another forum a while back where people were arguing about which city had the "best grunge" lol.  I was actually lamenting how we have so little lol.  There are plenty of other places in town that have that brand spankin new look, or the "Tuscan" look, etc. if you prefer that. But don't begrudge us our little bit o kewl grunge  

Was it this mural by chance?



http://twitpic.com/4r0nhg

[TheArtist]

Was it this mural by chance?



http://twitpic.com/4r0nhg

Close, Blake had asked me if I could do the actual signage on the brick where the banner is now, and make it look old and worn.  I said absolutely.  He may give me a call, he may use someone else, or do something else entirely.  Ideas evolve and change with these things. 

 

[patric]

Close, Blake had asked me if I could do the actual signage on the brick where the banner is now, and make it look old and worn.  I said absolutely.  He may give me a call, he may use someone else, or do something else entirely.  Ideas evolve and change with these things. 

I was noticing that wouldnt be allowed under the form-based code, which is a shame because it could be tastefully done under the right circumstances.

[DowntownDan]

I'd like to see Back Alley get a Beale Street style neon.  I'm really excited for this place.  Blues is one of my favorite music styles, and barbeque is one of my favorite foods.  Add beer, and it's close to heaven.

http://roberthensley.com/events/baseball2007/beale-street-signs1.jpg

[JoeMommaBlake]

I'd like to see Back Alley get a Beale Street style neon.  I'm really excited for this place.  Blues is one of my favorite music styles, and barbeque is one of my favorite foods.  Add beer, and it's close to heaven.

We're still planning on the painted sign facing Elgin (we'll call you next week, William), and a very large Beale Street inspired neon on the rooftop of the building facing 2nd street and visible overhead while dining/drinking on the rooftop.

We've got an appointment in May with the board of adjustment for the neon sign. Wish us luck. It's awesome.

Thanks for caring! We'll be open soon. Hope to see you all there.

[dbacks fan]

We're still planning on the painted sign facing Elgin (we'll call you next week, William), and a very large Beale Street inspired neon on the rooftop of the building facing 2nd street and visible overhead while dining/drinking on the rooftop.

We've got an appointment in May with the board of adjustment for the neon sign. Wish us luck. It's awesome.

Thanks for caring! We'll be open soon. Hope to see you all there.

I wish you well, and look forward to being back home again for a while this summer. Makes me happy to see Tulsans making a difference and changing the landscape down town.

Cheers!

[SXSW]

We're still planning on the painted sign facing Elgin (we'll call you next week, William), and a very large Beale Street inspired neon on the rooftop of the building facing 2nd street and visible overhead while dining/drinking on the rooftop.

We've got an appointment in May with the board of adjustment for the neon sign. Wish us luck. It's awesome.

Thanks for caring! We'll be open soon. Hope to see you all there.

Love seeing all the neon and signs along Elgin.  I hope someday there will be a movie theater facing that street with a huge neon marquee, especially on the east side of the street north of 2nd.  And a local microbrewery in the vacant building at 1st & Elgin..  

[Conan71]

And a local microbrewery in the vacant building at 1st & Elgin..  

Maybe by that time, they can brew and sell more than 3.2 piss water.  But don't hold your breath.

[carltonplace]

Lots of activity in the Brady now. The Philbrook section of the arts lofts appears to have completed interior demo phase. Dirt is moving in the "to be" park accross the street. Elevator shafts are up at the Tribune expansion.