(PROJECT) A Gathering Place For Tulsa

[Townsend]

I think it's a dust bag of a vacuum cleaner, actually.  Explains a few things.

Smokin' that "MJ".

[AquaMan]

Joggers blend no doubt.

[patric]

Look what Jenks wants to build down the river:

http://tulsa.craigslist.org/off/4332295234.html

'cause the riverfront is under-served by six-story bank buildings?

[swake]

Look what Jenks wants to build down the river:

http://tulsa.craigslist.org/off/4332295234.html

'cause the riverfront is under-served by six-story bank buildings?

I wouldn't say "wants" to build, that building is almost finished.

[BKDotCom]

To bring Patric up to speed, here's a current photo

http://www.tulsaworld.com/business/realestate/first-oklahoma-bank-adds-bling-atop-new-headquarters-in-jenks/article_8910c22d-37c6-5e1a-8a29-3d7185bfac2d.html

[Townsend]

Tulsa Tries Again for a TIGER Grant

http://kwgs.com/post/tulsa-tries-again-tiger-grant

TIGER Grant round two. The city of Tulsa is attempting again to get a federal transportation grant to help fund improvements to Riverside Drive as part of the Gathering Place project. City Engineer Paul Zachary says the dollars would go only for public use aspects of the project like Riverside and the pedestrian bridge. This time the city is seeking between $11 and $14 million. Applications are due the end of April and awards will be announced sometime around Labor Day.      

A similar application for nearly $15 million was rejected last year, but Zachary says questioned areas have been addressed, and chances are better this time around.

[Townsend]

Tulsa Mayor Appoints River Development Director



http://kwgs.com/post/tulsa-mayor-appoints-river-development-director

Former Tulsa City Councilor Robert Gardner will be the Mayor's Director of River Development. The focus will be on getting and keeping water in the river to encourage development along its' banks. Gardner says he went to Mayor Bartlett several weeks ago and offered to help. He says one person with a total focus on the river should be able to help move things along.

Gardner, a city councilor from 1994-1998, will begin immediately and will not be paid for his work.

[Conan71]

Is this a paid position or honorary?

[Hoss]

Is this a paid position or honorary?

Gardner, a city councilor from 1994-1998, will begin immediately and will not be paid for his work

[Conan71]

Well I'll be damned.

[dbacksfan 2.0]

To bring Patric up to speed, here's a current photo

http://www.tulsaworld.com/business/realestate/first-oklahoma-bank-adds-bling-atop-new-headquarters-in-jenks/article_8910c22d-37c6-5e1a-8a29-3d7185bfac2d.html

Are you sure that's not a Mormon Temple?



http://mormontemples.org/gilbert

[AquaMan]

Tulsa Mayor Appoints River Development Director



http://kwgs.com/post/tulsa-mayor-appoints-river-development-director

Not surprised that he approached Bartlett about this. They served on the council around the same time. He has a clear headed intelligence and a penchant for getting along with people of different views and social standing. A real stand up guy. I took his kid on an airboat trip on the Arkansas a decade back.

Only a few options for putting water in the river and keeping it there. Look forward to hearing his progress.

[dsjeffries]

Well I'll be damned.

You'll be damned and maybe the river will get dammed.

[Townsend]

River Task Force Talks Longterm Funding, Storm Water System

http://kwgs.com/post/river-task-force-talks-longterm-funding-storm-water-system

Tulsa's river task force is trying to figure out how to pay for ongoing maintenance a system of low-water dams would need.

A tax increment financing district was one proposal, but those are better for building projects than they are for funding upkeep. Economic Development Coordinator Jim Coles said a business improvement district may work.

"They allow for property owners to pay an assessment annually, which is collected up and then used to do common maintenance, upkeep things — maybe street sweeping or landscaping downtown," Coles said. "There could be something more along the lines of general maintenance to a dam."

Putting water in the Arkansas River also comes with a challenge for Tulsa's storm water system.

Many outlets for the distribution system that feeds into the river weren't designed to be underwater all the time, but they will be if low-water dams are built. City Engineer Paul Zachary said not preparing would cause big problems.

"That's the worst thing that can happen, is that pipe falling off, and then we end up with some type of a sinkhole form or something like that up the bank," Zachary said, adding that work needs to be done "all up and down" the river.

The county took an inventory of the system, but there's no estimate of the cost yet.

The task force is due to report to the mayor in about six weeks.

[Townsend]

Probably could've titled this better but...

Some Costs, Funding for Arkansas River Projects Still Uncertain

http://kwgs.com/post/some-costs-funding-arkansas-river-projects-still-uncertain

Tulsa's river task force will wait at least another month for a firm estimate on how much it will cost to prepare the city's storm water system for water in the river.

Gaylon Pinc with the Program Management Group gave the group a ballpark estimate and said he's relieved it wasn't in the tens of millions of dollars range.

"We're probably looking at a million or less to do the storm sewers, perhaps a couple million if we did all of the bad banks stabilization work," Pinc said. "That's a small part when you're looking at a $43 million dam reconstruction part with recreational features."

A survey shows about 10 percent of the Arkansas River's 84 miles of shoreline will need stabilizing.

Those projects and others designed to put water in the river could get a funding boost from a Vision 2025 surplus.

The "medium" surplus is around $54 million. Once county commissioners formally acknowledge it, the Vision Authority will decide how to spend it.

Vision 2025 Program Director Kirby Crowe says they'll have some restrictions, though.

"To say just, blanketly, 'Let's put it to the river, it fits' — you have to look at the individual benefit of the project and make sure it does to avoid a taxpayer suit," Crowe said.

The Vision Authority consists of representatives from communities throughout Tulsa County, many of which have already invested in the river.