Developer claims that Tulsa mayor is interfering with plan
By P.J. LASSEK World Staff Writer
Published: 12/1/2010 2:20 AM
Last Modified: 12/1/2010 4:53 AM
Local developer Jerry Gordon claims that Mayor Dewey Bartlett has interfered with Gordon's plans for west bank river development to allow a group from Branson, Mo., to develop the land instead.
Gordon, who initially was involved with the RiverWalk development in Jenks, said he has been working for seven months on a plan that includes the River West Festival Park and the Mid-Continent Concrete plant. Both properties lie directly north of the 21st Street Bridge.
He said he also has negotiated a plan with the owners of the concrete plant to acquire the site and has met with River Parks officials to present his plan.
Gordon's river development plan includes a large entertainment area with restaurants and bars, a plaza, a retail area similar to Pearl Street in Boulder, Colo., and a new amphitheater and common areas.
The development would use wind and solar power and would be designed to give River Parks riverfront space for its festivals, such as Oktoberfest, he said.
Gordon said that when he presented his plan to Bartlett and others in the administration, they expressed excitement. Then recently, when the owner of the concrete plant wanted to meet with the mayor about the plan, Gordon said he was told that the mayor wasn't interested.
"I'm floored that all of a sudden (mayoral Chief of Staff) Terry Simonson has blocked me, saying they are going in a different route and aren't interested in meeting with me or the concrete owners," Gordon said Tuesday.
Simonson told Gordon in an e-mail last week that the mayor is open to conversations with all interested developers, including the group that developed Branson Landing, records show.
The Branson Landing developers have been to Tulsa in previous years seeking to develop the west bank of the Arkansas River near downtown.
"It really makes me mad that people can use for their political gain the ability to squash a plan that not only is great river development but would create a lot of local jobs through the construction process," Gordon said. "I'm a local developer. I hire locally."
He said his plan also would ensure that River Parks is incorporated because "I know the value of it."
The mayor announced last week that the city would seek bids for west bank river development on several parcels, including the festival park and concrete plant, as well as Tulsa West Park and the Public Works facility just south of the 21st Street Bridge.
Bartlett said his meeting with Gordon was "just talk." He said there was no deal or any exclusivity promised to Gordon on developing the area.
Bartlett said seeking bids provides the city the opportunity to shop for the best project from an array of developers. He said Gordon has the right to submit his plan through the bidding process.
During a council committee meeting Tuesday on the bidding process, Councilor Bill Christiansen mentioned Gordon's plan, noting that he's "a local guy, with a local idea," with river development experience.
Gordon, who was not present for the council meeting, and some of the councilors questioned how the city's bidding process could involve private property.
City Economic Development Director Mike Bunney said it could be done by making the situation clear in the request for proposals.
He said the administration will be meeting this week with the owners of the concrete plant to discuss acquisition of the site.
Bunney said the consensus from the many developers who have approached the city on developing the area is that "the concrete plant site needs to be acquired."
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