TU's poor job of "updating" Delaware Ave.

[guido911]

Good call Canon. As a TU grad, it pisses me off when I hear people bash Tulsa higher education.

[bacjz00]

Looks like Delaware Ave. is open to traffic now and I think it looks fantastic.  The city and TU did a great job on this.  It definitely feels like you're on campus when driving down Delaware.  Anyone else have opinions?  Maybe DScott or someone could post some pics?

[cannon_fodder]

+1

It looks very nice and makes for better traffic flow.  The 1 and a half lanes of traffic that were there caused more problems than it was worth (not really 2 lanes in the condition it was in).  

If only we could get rid of that pesky college the area would be nearly perfect... []

[PonderInc]

As an "old" TU grad, I agree with the Artist that a "walkable village" adjacent to TU would be a terrific addition to the campus.  I don't know how far TU's land acquisition plan stretches, but I could see a lot of possibilities for a developer willing to invest in such a concept.  

Do TU students have a local bar to call their own, now that JR's is gone?  Where do students go for milkshakes and burgers without the Metro Diner?  And they lost a cool coffeeshop when Saffron went out of business.  Imagine an area that would cater to the needs of students, professors and staff in a cool, funky, easy-to-walk to place.  (Not a strip mall.)  

The yellow-bike thing seems to be working well on campus, and it would be great if TU would not just encourage students to bike from place to place, but encourage development that allows for this.  I agree that the apartments make for nice student living, but they do look like any other suburban apartments in town.  Something along the lines of urban brownstone (ok, sandstone) walkups would have been even better.  

And I have to agree with Patric that the street lighting is terrible.  When I've been on campus at night since the "attractive" acorn lights were installed, I find myself squinting to try to make out campus landmarks.  It's very disorienting.  The glare is so bright, I can't see anything but the cold, blue light eminating from these fixtures.  And it makes it hard to see pedestrians crossing the road at night.  (It also makes the campus look like something from a science fiction movie... not the warm and welcoming place the campus really is.)

I actually talked to the guy at TU who is in charge of installing the lights, and he said that the regents selected these lights and thought that the blue light made the buildings look "cleaner."  So sad.

Still, TU is a great addition to the community, and I'm proud to be a TU grad.  I regularly attend free music concerts and lectures, and also attend plays and sporting events.  People need to wake up and realize what a gem TU is...and how much it offers to the community...and that you don't have to be a student to benefit.

[dsjeffries]

quote:Originally posted by bacjz00

Looks like Delaware Ave. is open to traffic now and I think it looks fantastic.  The city and TU did a great job on this.  It definitely feels like you're on campus when driving down Delaware.  Anyone else have opinions?  Maybe DScott or someone could post some pics?

I'll take pics as soon as I can... They're striping the road this week, but I leave for Italy on Thursday, so it'll probably be after the first of the year before I get the pics up (I return from Italy on 10 Jan).

The road is MUCH improved in terms of pavement, etc., BUT... the timing on the traffic signals is absolutely awful.  The light at 6th St. which is used ONLY as a pedestrian crossing light, should remain green until a pedestrian presses the 'cross' button.  All the light does right now is cause unnecessary backups.

Other than traffic light timing, I LOVE the new road.  It sure makes traveling easier! []

[Wrinkle]

I'll agree it looks nice and is a more walkable environment. Fine for a 'campus'. But, TU did still obscond a major 4-lane throughfare to I-244 for midtowners north of the BA.

And, they also participated, and greatly benefited in the Kendel-Whittier School bond marketing, as though it the more major plan for TU rather than the KW district/Tulsa in general.

Overall a fairly good example of a win-win deal, but performed in backroom negotiations out of public view/process/acceptance.

I'm not of the school which suggests those doing all this dealing are always wrong, just that the process gets violated so frequently in so many ways.

Not once, that I know of, was anyone in the public asked about turning an existing 4-lane road to 2-lane, it just got done.

Basically, TU now owns it. But, we paid for it and will continue to indefinitely. Next, guard shacks and gates during limited hours (my prediction).

[pfox]

This thread cracks me up.

[Wrinkle]

quote: Wrinkle 12/18/07: Next, guard shacks and gates during limited hours (my prediction).

Wha'd I win for earliest prediction come true?



Source: Public Works Committee Agenda 2008-01-08


And, thank you Ms. Barnes, soon-to-be former councilor.

[Renaissance]

I think that would mean no heavy trucks, so as to avoid having to redo the whole thing 10 years from now because of wear.

[cannon_fodder]

That's what it means to me also, weight restrictions.  Which would cause Tulsa to have deliveries re-routed in some instances.  

FYI - I drove down the road the other day without paying anything to the University of Tulsa.  In fact, a campus security guard had to yield for me at an intersection.  The new "owners" sure are being nice allowing everyone else unrestricted access to their new road.

And 4 lane road?  Really?  Did you ever drive on that thing?  At best it was 3 lanes as maybe you could get by with passing but there is no way 4 cars could pass each other at the same time.  Anyone that says it was better off before is simply looking for something to complain about towards TU.

Man, life would be miserable for you in Norman, Stillwater, Manhattan, Lawrence, Fayetteville... or other towns that totally yield to the University - instead of allowing input in a small radius next door to it.

[darkspectre]

TU chose to acquire the land on the west side of Delaware Avenue and cross a public street.  I don't believe it is right for them to have complete control over a specific section of road just because it lies between sections of campus.

Again, it isn't "their" road. Technically everyone in the City of Tulsa is "the owner." The cost of this road will come out of our pockets for years to come.

Bash ahoy!

[cannon_fodder]

I was attempting sarcasm to the above posts.  Apparently I failed.

The University has no control over that road that a any large employer would not have over a road that they encompass.

[Wrinkle]

quote:Originally posted by Floyd

I think that would mean no heavy trucks, so as to avoid having to redo the whole thing 10 years from now because of wear.

You mean they did all that planning and construction without any spec for anticipated traffic?

Besides, I think all 2-lane roads, by default, have weight/axle restrictions throughout the city.

No, this is about 'vehicles', the kind you and I drive.

Was anyone at the meeting?

[Wrinkle]

quote:Originally posted by cannon_fodder

That's what it means to me also, weight restrictions.  Which would cause Tulsa to have deliveries re-routed in some instances.  

FYI - I drove down the road the other day without paying anything to the University of Tulsa.  In fact, a campus security guard had to yield for me at an intersection.  The new "owners" sure are being nice allowing everyone else unrestricted access to their new road.

And 4 lane road?  Really?  Did you ever drive on that thing?  At best it was 3 lanes as maybe you could get by with passing but there is no way 4 cars could pass each other at the same time.  Anyone that says it was better off before is simply looking for something to complain about towards TU.

Man, life would be miserable for you in Norman, Stillwater, Manhattan, Lawrence, Fayetteville... or other towns that totally yield to the University - instead of allowing input in a small radius next door to it.

It was not the best 4-lane road, which is why I was so happy to see it being worked upon. I thought, yeah, straighten that sucker out, and widen the lanes, add a bike path, remove bumps.

With all the adjacent construction, apartments, soccer fields, tennis courts, athletic center, there was ample opportunity to take the kinks out of the road.

Wasn't 'til much later it became apparent other plans were in process.

[cannon_fodder]

quote:Originally posted by Wrinkle
Besides, I think all 2-lane roads, by default, have weight/axle restrictions throughout the city.

I know that not to be true.  Most of the roads in the industrial areas are 2 lanes.  Toledo, 36th North, Tulsa Port of Catoosa, near AA at the airport, former Ford plant, going to the refineries...

But I was not at the meeting.  Talk to me when they add gates - I'm still convinced you just hate TU.