(PROJECT) A Gathering Place For Tulsa

[joiei]

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

Is this building design supposed to be a modern reinterpretation of something from South Beach in Florida?  It's really kind of ugly.

[sgrizzle]

Is this building design supposed to be a modern reinterpretation of something from South Beach in Florida?  It's really kind of ugly.

They haven't put the outside on yet:

[Townsend]

I've noticed some clearing of brush along the river's edge at 45th on the East side. 

Is this the beginning of a larger project or was this an isolated thing?

[sgrizzle]

I've noticed some clearing of brush along the river's edge at 45th on the East side. 

Is this the beginning of a larger project or was this an isolated thing?

I think it is still tied to the original kaiser project. They did 41st to 61st area last.

[Townsend]

19 New Donors Pledge Funds for Planned Tulsa Park

http://kwgs.com/post/19-new-donors-pledge-funds-planned-tulsa-park

TULSA, Okla. (AP) — Nineteen donors have committed more than $40 million for the city's newest park along the Arkansas River, pushing the total contributions for the planned project over the $100 million mark.

The George Kaiser Family Foundation — which will contribute $200 million toward the project— announced the pledges this week for the park, called "A Gathering Place for Tulsa."

Kaiser is a lifelong Tulsan and one of the wealthiest people in the country. He's chairman of BOK Financial Corp. and a major shareholder in various energy and technology companies.

The donations will help fund the construction of the nearly 91-acre park and seed its operating endowment. The project's fundraising goal is $150 million.

More information about the park can be found at www.agatheringplacefortulsa.com.

[sgrizzle]

So this "up to $150M project" is now over $300M in donations.

[Conan71]

So this "up to $150M project" is now over $300M in donations.

Yes, but according to Uncle Kimchi, this is still a rip off to taxpayers.

[Townsend]

Yes, but according to Uncle Kimchi, this is still a rip off to taxpayers.

He grew up playing in the other kind of park and if it's good enough for him, it's good enough for everyone else.



C'mon Sauer, get on in here and bust it up.

[Conan71]

That reminded me of another standard item at Tulsa parks when I grew up

[swake]

That reminded me of another standard item at Tulsa parks when I grew up

Those were always best in direct sun in July.

[Hoss]

Those were always best in direct sun in July.

Oh, the burn...

[Conan71]

Oh, the burn...

Just like hot vinyl car seats when wearing shorts.

[Hoss]

Just like hot vinyl car seats when wearing shorts.

OMG, had a 1978 Malibu at one point that I could hardly turn the key tumbler over in if the car had sat out in the sun for too long (this was long before the foldout windowshades were in fashion).  Remember how those were textured.  You'd burn a semi-permanent pattern into your fingers with those.

I guess if you wanted to thwart the police fingerprinting you, that would be a good way of doing it.

[Conan71]

OMG, had a 1978 Malibu at one point that I could hardly turn the key tumbler over in if the car had sat out in the sun for too long (this was long before the foldout windowshades were in fashion).  Remember how those were textured.  You'd burn a semi-permanent pattern into your fingers with those.

I guess if you wanted to thwart the police fingerprinting you, that would be a good way of doing it.

I didn't have that problem with my '68 El Camino as it did not have the key on the steering column.  Something makes me think that debuted on '69 or '70 Chevelle and El Camino lines.  But I did have the vinyl b1tch bench seat.  Only thing worse than burnt legs or fingers from a column ignition was bashing my frozen knuckles on the radiator when replacing the lower hose in sub 30 temps.

Holy crap, that's some thread drift!

[Stanley1]

I listened to a presentation on this last night.  The presenter was Jeff Stava, the project's director.

This thing is going to be something truly special.  There are so many aspects to the park that will be unique to the United States.  I didn't realize the time frame was so far out, but they won't even finish Phase 1 until 2017-2018.  They've made a few relatively minor changes to what was last shown to the public.  There will be a BMX Pump Track near the Skate Bowl.  They are adding some "docks" around the pond for fishing.  Changing materials on a few items.  They are wanting to add some more night life stuff down around 31st street.