Santa Fe Square on the big surface parking lot in the Blue Dome...

[swake]

I think this is the most valuable land in Tulsa and you can wait out for privately financed development. The East Village wrap around is inevitable.

It's only been an empty parking lot for 50 years.

This is an excellent development. Let's do it.

[swake]

It's only been an empty parking lot for 50 years.

This is an excellent development. Let's do it.

Let's agree to the amount with the conditions that the TIF is canceled if project is not completed as designed in two years including all streetscaping according to the area plan on the streets surrounding the development (both sides) and that they set aside 10% of the units to be affordable.

[johrasephoenix]

Question on the last point - does Tulsa have an inclusionary zoning policy? 

[swake]

Question on the last point - does Tulsa have an inclusionary zoning policy? 

I don't know, but with a PUD asking for a TIF, everything should be on the table.

[Conan71]

I don't know, but with a PUD asking for a TIF, everything should be on the table.

The moment a developer requests that tax payers give a direct subsidy to their development, the public has a right to scrutinize the project and require their input be considered on the final product...or lack thereof.

[carltonplace]

It's only been an empty parking lot for 50 years.

This is an excellent development. Let's do it.

Agreed and the current Blue Dome TIF is expiring. I don't see the problem here. This project once complete will drive even more development in the Blue Dome and East Village.

[DowntownDan]

I don't have the energy to crunch the numbers, but this development will be a game changer.  It'll truly transform downtown and specifically the Blue Dome, Greenwood, and East Village, since it's right at the intersection of all three districts.  There's a limit to the amount of tax incentives for projects that is reasonable, but this one is worth it if it is even remotely reasonable.

[Townsend]

I hope it turns out to be as great as everyone seems to hope.

"At least it not parking lots anymore." is not what I want to think after it's done.

In any case, at least it won't be parking lots anymore.

[Conan71]

I hope it turns out to be as great as everyone seems to hope.

"At least it not parking lots anymore." is not what I want to think after it's done.

In any case, at least it won't be parking lots anymore.

But that's not quite as bad as "At least it's not trees and rocks anymore"

[Townsend]

But that's not quite as bad as "At least it's not trees and rocks anymore"

Easy...you might get yourself elected mayor.

[AdamsHall]

But that's not quite as bad as "At least it's not trees and rocks anymore"

This reminded me of the song "(Nothing But) Flowers" by the Talking Heads.

[Laramie]

This development will be a real jewel for Tulsa.

[LeGenDz]

Tulsa Mayor's Office Signs Off On East Village Development

TULSA, Oklahoma - The $150 million Santa Fe Square development project in Tulsa's East Village officially will move forward.
The city council approved the area between First and Second Streets and Elgin and Greenwood as a Tax Increment Finance District, and the mayor's office signed off on that Friday.

With the TIF district official, the developers behind the project can move ahead with finalized plans that will include a hotel, retail and office space, apartments and a parking garage.

An exact timetable for groundbreaking is still up in the air, but hopes are sometime this year.

http://www.newson6.com/story/31744196/tulsa-mayors-office-signs-off-on-east-village-development

[shavethewhales]

Awesome, this is huge news. I really expected this one to slip through the cracks. It's almost too good to be true.

We say it a lot, but it really feels like this project is a true momentum changer for downtown.

[carltonplace]

Between this and the Nordam property we are about to see another huge jump forward for our downtown.