Proposed re-use of Roosevelt School

[Truman]

At this hour, Mr Downing, (the head of the Visual and Performing Arts High School Project) is busy explaining the bid logged with the Tulsa Public School District.

The bid is for the purchase of  Roosevelt School.

The intended use is explained in the folowing article.
http://www.newson6.com/story/10895412/approved-oklahoma-high-school-for-visual-and-performing-arts?redirected=true


Thoughts, or comments Welcome.

[Vision 2025]

I previously evaluated that building for TPS (8-10 years ago) and believe it would be an excellent building for that proposed use. 

[ZYX]

Awesome! Hope this happens. I think that this would be an ideal location for them. (aside from downtown) It's close to TU, downtown, the up-and coming Pearl District, and midtown. Sounds perfect for an arts school.

[TheArtist]

Sounds good.

[rdj]

When we learned Burroughs was spared and Roosevelt was closed I immediately hoped the rumors of this group hoping for a TPS site near downtown were true.

This could be a great project for the burgeoning Owen Park neighborhood.

[Conan71]

That is really a nice property, especially with it's proximity to the park.  Even if it's not re-used as a school, I think it could be ideal for office space.

[carltonplace]

In case anyone needs the birds eye

[rdj]

Conan, it is beautiful.  If I recall it may need mechanical upgrades.  Not 100% on that however.

[JeffM]

I was at the Owen Park Neighborhood Association meeting last night... took notes on what Mr. Downing had to say and got his business card... exciting stuff.

[OwenParkPhil]

I hope Tulsans have noticed that Owen Park is becoming a hot spot for those who want houses downtown in a historic neighborhood and don't want to spend a lot of money.

I bought my house for 60K and renovated it to my tastes for 40K, now it's worth 120K...and I have a house that is just the way I want it, and two minutes from downtown and the Brady district. I like the fact it's just across Edison from Tulsa Country Club...an old prestigious country club from Tulsa's oil boom days that has a completely new state of the art golf course.

Just this week another family is buying/renovating on my block, last year there were three.

OwenParkPhil

[Conan71]

I hope Tulsans have noticed that Owen Park is becoming a hot spot for those who want houses downtown in a historic neighborhood and don't want to spend a lot of money.

I bought my house for 60K and renovated it to my tastes for 40K, now it's worth 120K...and I have a house that is just the way I want it, and two minutes from downtown and the Brady district. I like the fact it's just across Edison from Tulsa Country Club...an old prestigious country club from Tulsa's oil boom days that has a completely new state of the art golf course.

Just this week another family is buying/renovating on my block, last year there were three.

OwenParkPhil

Welcome aboard Phil!  Congrats on your purchase and thank you for investing in a great historic neighborhood.  Please be a regular!

[carltonplace]

I hope Tulsans have noticed that Owen Park is becoming a hot spot for those who want houses downtown in a historic neighborhood and don't want to spend a lot of money.

I bought my house for 60K and renovated it to my tastes for 40K, now it's worth 120K...and I have a house that is just the way I want it, and two minutes from downtown and the Brady district. I like the fact it's just across Edison from Tulsa Country Club...an old prestigious country club from Tulsa's oil boom days that has a completely new state of the art golf course.

Just this week another family is buying/renovating on my block, last year there were three.

OwenParkPhil

Congrats Phil. Owen Park is a jewel and its exciting to see it becoming more popular again. I'm on the shouth side of downtown in uptown and I really enjoy my proximity to the CBD.

[JeffM]

The Arts school had the ONLY bid on the property.....

http://www.kjrh.com/dpp/news/local_news/plan-would-repurpose-roosevelt-as-school-for-visual-and-performing-arts

A new law helped create the program two years ago and the group has been looking for a perfect location ever since.

The campus would house and educate 200 high school juniors and seniors.

"This school gives us the opportunity to focus on those most gifted kids from all over the state of Oklahoma and to let them have a deep immersion into their specific arts discipline."

Downing's group has the only bid in for the building.

The district wants to negotiate.

"I'm not going to negotiate in public. But I'm just going to say it's far below what we would accept," Superintendent Dr. Keith Ballard said.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=19&articleid=20110818_19_A11_CUTLIN919528

State law requires that surplus properties first be offered for public bid, but school districts are free to accept or reject those bids and then enter into negotiations for private sale.

Roosevelt Elementary School,1202 W. Easton St.

   The nonprofit Oklahoma School for the Visual and Performing Arts Foundation bid $251,778.50. The plan calls for the development and eventual operation on site of a school that was established by the Legislature in 2009 as a two-year residential facility for secondary students.

In the "snatch defeat from the jaws of victory" dept....

From the latest Owen Park Neighborhood Association newsletter....
"David Brumbaugh (OK House District 76 Rep) and John Wright (Tulsa County Assessor's Office Director) have expressed their desire to have Roosevelt become the next "home" for the Juvenile Justice Center."

Hmmm.... let's see... performing arts school versus a juvee jail?  

Unfortunately, I cannot attend tomorrow night's Owen Park Neighborhood Association meeting, but these guys are going to argue for the Juvenile Justice Center  -- how many other of these facilities are located literally next door to a public park?  and across the street from a residential neighborhood.... ?  

[JeffM]

http://podcast.1170kfaq.com/PatCampbellShow/tabid/1852/nnpg3505/4/Default.aspx

The Pat Campbell Show Hour 3 -- Monday, July 25, 2011 -- Starts at 12 mins 30 secs
"Eddie has an update on the Roosevelt Middle School/Storey Wrecker/Juvenile Detention Center facility debate. Is there any headway? What is the hold up? Is the city missing out on a chance to save some money?"

The Pat Campbell Show Hour 3 -- Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Starts at about 7 mins 30 secs....... and Eddie Huff resorts to bribery at 10 mins 30 secs.... 
"Eddie Huff had lunch with County Commissioner Fred Perry and discussed the Roosevelt Middle School proposal. Hear how everything hashed out during hour three." 

[rdj]

Dear God I hope this doesn't happen!  Just one more reason for the fine folks of Owen Park to vote for Blake Ewing tomorrow.  Not trying to put words in Mr Ewing's mouth but as a property owner there I'm sure he will be attentive to their pleadings.