Michael Overall: Tulsa isn't so jealous of OKC anymore

[rdj]

Michael Overall: Tulsa isn't so jealous of OKC anymore
Posted: Monday, June 2, 2014 12:00 am | Updated: 9:57 am, Mon Jun 2, 2014.
By Michael Overall World Staff Writer


While we never liked to admit it, Tulsa used to be a little jealous of Oklahoma City and the way it actually had a downtown.

Technically, of course, we had one, too. But it was just kind of sitting here collecting dust. And Tulsans who didn’t have to work downtown weren’t entirely sure where it was.

Meanwhile, downtown Oklahoma City had Bricktown, a ballpark, the Myriad Gardens and real live human beings walking around, even after dark.

Like any good rivalry, one team’s success pushed the other side to get better. And downtown Tulsa probably wouldn’t be what it is now if downtown Oklahoma City hadn’t been what it was 10 or 15 years ago.
Now, however, I think we can stop taking our inspiration from the other end of the Turner Turnpike.

In recent years, while we’ve been reinvigorating and beautifying our downtown with the BOK Center, the Guthrie Green and ONEOK Field, Oklahoma City has been making a few changes to its downtown, too.

First came that glorified ditch in Bricktown, where tourists are supposed to be impressed by a boat ride that takes them a block and a half.

It was the most ridiculous thing in town until a giant, metal chicken claw showed up near a pedestrian bridge, dangling precariously over the eastbound lanes of Interstate 40.

I’m not sure exactly what it is, but one theory is that a tornado blew over a cellphone tower. And instead of cleaning it up, officials decided to call it “public art.”

But that’s not even the ugliest part of downtown Oklahoma City anymore. The skyline is dominated — no, not just dominated; overwhelmed — by the 844-foot Devon Tower.

An eyesore for miles around, it’s the prairie’s most conspicuous display of overcompensation, making every other building look like it came from a toy train set.

Some people in Tulsa would like to see a new skyscraper replace the vast parking lots that stretch across the south side of downtown. But honestly, if the new structure is going to look like Mordor, I’d rather keep the parking crater.
At least you can’t see it from the suburbs.

My family spent Memorial Day weekend in Oklahoma City, where we took advantage of the fine dining, world-class museums and, most importantly, the outlet mall.

Michael Overall 918-581-8383
michael.overall@tulsaworld.com

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/columnists/michaeloverall/michael-overall-tulsa-isn-t-so-jealous-of-okc-anymore/article_1335a05b-a29e-54b4-9201-4747ac1a74b1.html

[rdj]

Anyone else cringe reading the above?  Disgusting for a local "reporter" to take such a jab at OKC when inter-city relations are actually improving.

[swake]

Anyone else cringe reading the above?  Disgusting for a local "reporter" to take such a jab at OKC when inter-city relations are actually improving.

That "article" is beyond stupid. The World is really sinking.

[Hoss]

That "article" is beyond stupid. The World is really sinking.

Having the disdain for the city down the turnpike I do, I chuckled a little at this.  

However I do agree that it seems a little juvenile.

Still didn't stop me from chuckling however.  Maybe that makes me juvenile.

[RecycleMichael]

The reporter is a good guy who gets to write a personal column every once in a while. The management of the paper likes their workers to be real people instead of reporters sometimes.

Some of the reporters are funny. Mostly, they get to write for them, not for their bosses.

[AquaMan]

Methinks the reporter doth protest too much

 I decided to cancel my subscription when I read one of their editors describe the current OK legislature as inept and infantile but ssid the democrats were no better. He gave no examples. Dem legislation is ignored. We are basically a one party state but it's still our fault too?

That kind of editorial writing is lazy and  political.

[Breadburner]

Tulsa>Okc

[heironymouspasparagus]

We should never consider Tulsa "second class" to OKC.  OKC has some good stuff - he even mentioned museums - and is interesting to visit.  They have a Del Taco and we don't!!  We have a much nicer "ambience" overall.  They can keep their basketball - it still doesn't trump Tulsa's 'everything else'!

He certainly overdid it (maybe he has been reading my posts and taking inspiration...??  Another "earworm" moment.).  The single biggest problem with OKC is not what they are doing or not doing downtown, but the legislature which just happens to be located there.


If he wants to compare ridiculous "public art" - the claw...then he needs to drive the Creek Turnpike and see that mess of concrete stuff on the noise abatement wall.  It is just a giant clump of "stuff" with no apparent 'design' or coherence.  It is way to busy to sort out what is obviously an attempt to get all of Oklahoma's historical culture into one place as possible.  Didn't work very well.

[DTowner]

The reporter is a good guy who gets to write a personal column every once in a while. The management of the paper likes their workers to be real people instead of reporters sometimes.

Some of the reporters are funny. Mostly, they get to write for them, not for their bosses.

I read this story as an attempt at humor that missed the intended mark.  OKC has a lot of good things going on.  Unfortunately, Tulsans and the rest of the state are paying for a lot of it.

[rdj]

The reporter is a good guy who gets to write a personal column every once in a while. The management of the paper likes their workers to be real people instead of reporters sometimes.

Some of the reporters are funny. Mostly, they get to write for them, not for their bosses.

I've noticed a little more editorializing in what I could consider news stories lately.  Use of adjectives in places where none is needed to convey the event or act but an descriptor is used to cast an opinion on them.

Personally, I find Tulsa superior.  If I wanted to live in OKC, I would.  I just don't know what is accomplished by publishing this piece.

[heironymouspasparagus]

I've noticed a little more editorializing in what I could consider news stories lately.  Use of adjectives in places where none is needed to convey the event or act but an descriptor is used to cast an opinion on them.

Personally, I find Tulsa superior.  If I wanted to live in OKC, I would.  I just don't know what is accomplished by publishing this piece.

It's the Faux News effect - if everyone doesn't keep up with their extremism, they are afraid they will lose market share.  As has happened at the oversensationalism of the  Weather Channel - they have become totally un-watchable due to the clowns who now own it!!  Geez what a mess they are!!  (Blackstone and Bain with a dash of NBC....explains it all.)



And you are right about Tulsa.  It is superior.

[TheArtist]

Yes, OKC can't help that it's so butt ugly, bless it's heart.  It's not at all right to be so insensitive like that in the local paper.

[Cats Cats Cats]

Yes, OKC can't help that it's so butt ugly, bless it's heart.  It's not at all right to be so insensitive like that in the local paper.

Downtown isn't too bad.  The rest of it though..

[AquaMan]

Its what you might call a "value" town. The pay scales seem higher. The housing costs are lower. The arts and entertainment offerings are varied and high level. Two large universities are nearby and it boasts the highest rated public high school in the state. Its a good value for one who doesn't prize black dirt, hills, a classier downtown and casinos surrounding us. Our suburbs are a wash with theirs. They have better highways. They have the Thunder we have the BOK arena. They have to deal with bumpkin legislators. We have Mark Wayne.

Most ratings of the "City" seem to underscore those attributes.

No doubt about it though, we are the little brother and we act like it.

 

[davideinstein]

OKC is light years ahead of Tulsa still to this day. And I love Tulsa, but that's a reality.