Downtown NEEDS a plaza

[T-TownMike]

After visiting several of our great cities in our nation, I'm convinced that Tulsa needs a plaza area in downtown Tulsa. A DESTINATION of quality restaraunts and shopping, with a movie theatre. I envision an area that is pedestrian friendly that incorporates some fountains and art amongst the area. I also would like to have a nice park area adjacent to this for those that just want to be outside in downtown Tulsa. I believe we should encourage people to come downtown and spend time. The way to do that is to give them something to do. A plaza area incorporates indoors with oudoors and gives the best of both worlds. Here's some pictures of Kansas City's plaza area...

http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/North_America/United_States_of_America/Missouri/Kansas_City-816877/Things_To_Do-Kansas_City-Country_Club_Plaza-BR-1.html

Thoughts?

[swake]

First off, the Plaza, while great, is not in downtown Kansas City. It's very like Utica if Brookside was next door.

[sgrizzle]

Well if the east village were ever built, it might fit into this idea.

[T-TownMike]

quote:Originally posted by swake

First off, the Plaza, while great, is not in downtown Kansas City. It's very like Utica if Brookside was next door.

I know it's SOUTH of downtown K.C. The point is, it's a nice area-that's why I referenced it.

Many downtowns have musuems and restauraunts and PLAZA areas. Downtown Tulsa is struggling to get people to come downtown and should be seeking tenants that bring people there. The arena, while it's a great idea, could use some help.

Most sports and concert venues being built today spring up WITH retail shopping, restaraunts, musuems, etc. at the same time. I'm not seeing that with Tulsa. What are we waiting for?

[Kiah]

quote:Originally posted by T-TownMike

What are we waiting for?

We?  Jump on in -- who's stopping you?

(I'm waiting for my money to dry.)

[T-TownMike]

quote:Originally posted by Kiah

quote:Originally posted by T-TownMike

What are we waiting for?

We?  Jump on in -- who's stopping you?

(I'm waiting for my money to dry.)

The Tulsa county voters agreed to more than $500 MILLION in NEW TAXES in 2003.

[Kiah]

quote:Originally posted by T-TownMike

The Tulsa county voters agreed to more than $500 MILLION in NEW TAXES in 2003.

So, what are you saying?  We should use that money to open (public?) retaurants and shops, instead of the projects it was intended for?

[T-TownMike]

quote:Originally posted by Kiah

quote:Originally posted by T-TownMike

The Tulsa county voters agreed to more than $500 MILLION in NEW TAXES in 2003.

So, what are you saying?  We should use that money to open (public?) retaurants and shops, instead of the projects it was intended for?

I believe the city should work with a developer. Some of the land, art and fountains would be PUBLIC property. I'm not suggesting the city pay for the project, but they should be involved to assure that we have a nice pedestrain friendly destination adjacent the arena. The city shouldn't leave it up to chance on whether or not the arena will or won't succeed. We should do everything we can to make assurances that this is money well spent.

I consider it PROTECTING our $200 million investment by beautifying the surrounding area and working with a developer who has the same vision.

[NellieBly]

Wasn't Utica Square developed as Tulsa's answer to KC's Plaza?

[AVERAGE JOE]

We have a public plaza downtown, with the central library and convention center/arena right on it.

We have a secondary plaza -- the "Green" at 3rd & Boston, with a nice hotel, green space, and our performing arts center on it.

Both are lonely places to be.

So I would disagree about the plaza part. However, I couldn't agree more that we need shops, restaurants, and movie theaters downtown. It's not the plaza, it's the stuff to do on the plaza that gets people to visit.

[T-TownMike]

Those may be lonely places because like you said(and I agree) there needs to be things to do once you get there. That being said, I think the greenbelts a very important transition to the the retail area. Here's a picture of something that gives you an idea of what I'm talking about...
http://www.thejamescenter.com/images/pictures/art/plaza_design_small.jpg

[T-TownMike]

Add a little bit of this and you get the idea...

http://www.atkielski.com/inlink.php?/PhotoGallery/Paris/General/PlaceConcordeLarge.html

[tulsa1603]

quote:Originally posted by T-TownMike

Those may be lonely places because like you said(and I agree) there needs to be things to do once you get there. That being said, I think the greenbelts a very important transition to the the retail area. Here's a picture of something that gives you an idea of what I'm talking about...
http://www.thejamescenter.com/images/pictures/art/plaza_design_small.jpg

That is the spitting image of the Green at 3rd and Boston.  Almost IDENTICAL.

[Kiah]

Portland's Park Blocks are the best example of what you're talking about that I've seen.  They're several linear blocks of parkland, intersected by pedestrian-friendly streets, and completely surrounded by restaurants, shops, galleries, theaters, etc.


Park Blocks ca. 1878


Park Blocks today

The thing is, these were dedicated in the late 1800s.  These kinds of great public spaces can't be created overnight.  They have to evolve, much like Utica Square, which is, after all, 50 years old.

[Kiah]

The best opportunity for this kind of environment downtown will be the new Oil Capital Centennial Park, for which funding is in-hand (from several public and private sources), and which is going to be created on what is now a surface parking lot at 6th & Main/Boston.  This will link to Bartlett Square along pedestrian-friendly Main Street and to William's Green along pedestrian-friendly Boston Ave.

It's also located in the middle of Kanbar & Kaufman's planned "Mayo Place," or whatever they're calling their mixed-use concept.  These developments will build on the best of what's already there, not obliterate everything to try to force a new mega-development.