Centennial Green Progress

[sgrizzle]

http://www.journalrecord.com/article.cfm?recid=81844

quote:
Work starts on 2nd phase of Centennial Walk in Tulsa
September 18, 2007
TULSA – Workers with Horizon Construction Co. of Catoosa have started work on the $3.8 million second phase of Centennial Walk, transforming a half-block of downtown Tulsa parking into parkland with a fountain and amphitheater.
The 12-phase Centennial Walk master plan calls for a network of landscaped sidewalks and trails intended to link downtown hot spots to the Arkansas River. It carried a projected cost of more than $21 million, according to the Vision 2025 web site. But officials with the City of Tulsa Public Works Department said only these first two phases have received funding.
Contractor Magnum Construction of Broken Arrow started phase one in April. Scheduled for completion in January, that $2.8 million project will add new trees, traffic signals, sidewalks, decorative pedestrian lights, parking meters and storm drainage improvements to Third Street between Denver and Elgin, and Fourth Street between Boulder and Cincinnati.
Under plans by design engineer Howell and Vancuren of Tulsa, phase two will create a park covering one half-block along Sixth Street, between Boston Avenue and Main Street. It also will reconstruct Sixth along that area and add a landscaped median.
Scheduled for completion in April, the park will feature an oval green lawn surrounded by brick-like concrete pavers that will match the new Sixth Street crosswalks.
At one end the park will offer a fountain; at the other end, a small amphitheater.
This new park will carry two names. The park will be called "H.A. Chapman Centennial Green." Its field of grass will be "The Walton Family Lawn."
This reflects the assistance Chapman and the Waltons gave to Land Legacy in acquiring the property and for pledging funds toward its development.
Officials hope this transformation of a parking lot will reflect a new sense of energy in downtown Tulsa.
"In the shadow of Tulsa's skyscrapers, green space is replacing concrete lots," said Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor.

This is the park that will feature "milestones" showing tulsa's oil history, a timed "geyser" fountain and outdoor pavilion/stage and eating areas.

[Townsend]

Not to be negative but I hope the new police office there will help.  Trinity and Iron gate just switched where they bait the homeless folk over to the sixth street side.  Right down the street from the new park.

I'm excited for the park and leery for the damage the homeless and the taggers might bring.

[Conan71]

Tagging is one of the issues they've been having to consider on the Centennial time capsule planned for Veteran's Park.  I guess a little graffiti is better than a Harley inundated with rust. []

[sgrizzle]

quote:Originally posted by Conan71

Tagging is one of the issues they've been having to consider on the Centennial time capsule planned for Veteran's Park.  I guess a little graffiti is better than a Harley inundated with rust. []

They should bury the centennial time capsule under the centennial green.

[Conan71]

Park Department offered the committee a nice space at Vet's Park.  It will be another pressure vessel above ground and will be enclosed in a structural vault and bricked in.  It's a neat design.  There's another member on here who is "in the know" with the design on it if his modesty will allow him to come forward.

I think we are done burying time capsules in this town.[]

[TheArtist]

Oh, that reminds me I need to do that rendering.[]

[carltonplace]

Tulsa World Articleabout this park:

I'm kinda glad this didn't go forward:

Plans for a "Petro Wall," which would have detailed Tulsa's oil history and displayed industry artifacts, have been scrapped, at least for now, because of increasing construction costs

[pfox]

I would like to see, someday in the near future, a downtown bicycle station near the CBD core.  I have long thought that 6th and Main would be an ideal location.

For those curious about what I mean...take a look at the following link for the Millennium Park Bike Station in Chicago.

It provides free secure bike parking, and for a small membership fee, lockers and showers for commuters.  It also houses a branch of the Chicago Bike Patrol, a juice/coffee bar, bike rentals (perhaps a downtown branch of the Tulsa Townies pink bikes?) and bike repair facilities.

[TheArtist]

Yes thats a neat idea. I have seen similar, but smaller things in other cities.  Here again though is an example of how our city differs from the lifestyle that people in other cities are used to. When they come here and look around its completely different. Then you hear people on here and other places saying... "Oh, Tulsa is a great place to live and raise a family, we have nice quiet neighborhoods etc. We dont need this or that."  I just dont think they realize how different things are here, how many small things are different, but when added together are important for they create and allow a different way of life. Its often hard to explain to these people because they just dont get it since they dont live like that and it doesnt register when you point out each little thing. Actually you hear just the opposite, people complaining about there not being any parking downtown! And you know they arent talking about bikes.[B)]

[Rico]

quote:Originally posted by TheArtist

Yes thats a neat idea. I have seen similar, but smaller things in other cities.  Here again though is an example of how our city differs from the lifestyle that people in other cities are used to. When they come here and look around its completely different. Then you hear people on here and other places saying... "Oh, Tulsa is a great place to live and raise a family, we have nice quiet neighborhoods etc. We dont need this or that."  I just dont think they realize how different things are here, how many small things are different, but when added together are important for they create and allow a different way of life. Its often hard to explain to these people because they just dont get it since they dont live like that and it doesnt register when you point out each little thing. Actually you hear just the opposite, people complaining about there not being any parking downtown! And you know they arent talking about bikes.[B)]

I see.........


" You just don't think they realize"

"They just don't get it"

"they don't live like that and it doesn't register"

"and you know they aren't talking about bikes"


Knowing how attuned you are with the "whazz happening" scene... Could you please help me out here...

Who exactly are they....?

and if I might enquire....? what is your relationship to them...?

[booWorld]

I like the idea of the bike storage.  When I ride my bike to work, I take it inside my office building, which isn't convenient.

[TheArtist]

quote:Originally posted by Rico

quote:Originally posted by TheArtist

Yes thats a neat idea. I have seen similar, but smaller things in other cities.  Here again though is an example of how our city differs from the lifestyle that people in other cities are used to. When they come here and look around its completely different. Then you hear people on here and other places saying... "Oh, Tulsa is a great place to live and raise a family, we have nice quiet neighborhoods etc. We dont need this or that."  I just dont think they realize how different things are here, how many small things are different, but when added together are important for they create and allow a different way of life. Its often hard to explain to these people because they just dont get it since they dont live like that and it doesnt register when you point out each little thing. Actually you hear just the opposite, people complaining about there not being any parking downtown! And you know they arent talking about bikes.[B)]

I see.........


" You just don't think they realize"

"They just don't get it"

"they don't live like that and it doesn't register"

"and you know they aren't talking about bikes"


Knowing how attuned you are with the "whazz happening" scene... Could you please help me out here...

Who exactly are they....?

and if I might enquire....? what is your relationship to them...?

Generally speaking, the "ones" who say those things.   We often speak in generalities on here. Or do I now need to go back and look for examples of that and list names so that you know who "we" is?  Can you tell me exactly what the "wazz happening scene" is that I am supposed to be in tune with? And exactly who this "them" is? Why the seeming animosity all of a sudden?

[Rico]

quote:Originally posted by TheArtist

quote:Originally posted by Rico

quote:Originally posted by TheArtist

Yes thats a neat idea. I have seen similar, but smaller things in other cities.  Here again though is an example of how our city differs from the lifestyle that people in other cities are used to. When they come here and look around its completely different. Then you hear people on here and other places saying... "Oh, Tulsa is a great place to live and raise a family, we have nice quiet neighborhoods etc. We dont need this or that."  I just dont think they realize how different things are here, how many small things are different, but when added together are important for they create and allow a different way of life. Its often hard to explain to these people because they just dont get it since they dont live like that and it doesnt register when you point out each little thing. Actually you hear just the opposite, people complaining about there not being any parking downtown! And you know they arent talking about bikes.[B)]

I see.........


" You just don't think they realize"

"They just don't get it"

"they don't live like that and it doesn't register"

"and you know they aren't talking about bikes"


Knowing how attuned you are with the "whazz happening" scene... Could you please help me out here...

Who exactly are they....?

and if I might enquire....? what is your relationship to them...?

Generally speaking, the "ones" who say those things.   We often speak in generalities on here. Or do I now need to go back and look for examples of that and list names so that you know who "we" is?  Can you tell me exactly what the "wazz happening scene" is that I am supposed to be in tune with? And exactly who this "them" is? Why the seeming animosity all of a sudden?

"Them"..?  Why they are the ones you spoke in "generalities about.

No animosity.. Just curious how you define "they"..

"Generally speaking" as a resident of Tulsa "they" could be your neighbors....

[TheArtist]

Well I suppose the "THEY" in relationship to me, lol, must be my friends and acquaintances, plus other similar stories I hear about other people who visit and who make similar comments about Tulsa.

The "THEM", who very well could be my neighbors, are "those" "we" have heard on here and that "I" have also run into on other forums and converstations. Sorry I dont remember exact names, I am bad with names.

THEY, ... often try to have an active athletic, healthy lifestyle, like living in or close to urban areas that offer lots of activities and are full of energy,(however there are examples of places that are more rural but yet still offer many of the same "city" amenities, lots of arts, community street life, outdoor cafe's,interesting shops, theater, bike trails, lots of similar minded people, a beautiful environment. These are often college towns or centers for the arts.) are often concerned about the environment, are not fans of urban sprawl, like a more "european" style of living, believe in mass transit, are often used to living in environments where you walk a lot, generally like living in dense, walkable, urban areas, like farmers markets, eating healthy, like frequenting art galleries and interesting art museums, often go out and like a good night life, tend to recycle more; like jogging, biking, rollerblading, rock climbing, thus like parks and a good trail system; they travel a lot, like exploring new cultures and ideas,are more tolerant of diversity, are often part of the "creative class".  

They are generally steryotyped as being younger and more middle class, however I have met people like this in every age range and economic strata. There are different "crowds" within this group, the "artsy nature" crowd who are often artists, like living in older homes, may like a more funky ecclectic decor. The trendy, latte drinking, modern condo dwelling, yuppy, YP crowd. etc. lol
But its amazing how many concerns, likes, and priorities they have in common. While not at all the same in every facet, they still share many similar, basic, outlooks and ways of looking at the world that lead them to many similar thoughts, attitudes, likes and dislikes.


THEY,... often dont like going downtown, complain about having to walk, complain about not finding parking, prefer a suburban lifestyle, do not travel a lot and wish to explore other cultures, are not as tolerant of diversity or gays, do not bikeride, jog, rollerblade, rock climb, etc. very much, tend to not be as concerned with eating healthy or living a healthy lifestyle, not as concerned about having mass transit, would generally rather live in a home than a condo, would tend to prefer living in a "regular" new home than an old or very modern home. Are less likely to go to art galleries or gallery hopping and the theater and are less likely to be artists or of the "creative class", are less concerned about the environment and recycling.

Again, just generalities. There are plenty of exceptions, and indeed other groups. Just trying to help you get the gist of the general differences I am speaking of. And of course not everyone fits into just either group. But those that fit in either group do have very different thoughts, outlooks, expectations and preferred lifestyle.

I tend to see myself as having more in common with the people in the first group and thus of course want Tulsa to offer more of those things, that lifestyle here. Someone who may see themselves as fitting more into the second group will have their own priorities and interests. And when it comes to things like spending public tax dollars and what to spend them on, for instance, well you can see the beginnings of some arguments because of those different outlooks, perspectives and priorities.

[Rico]

I would like to see this be a park that incorporates possibly a street vendor or two....

A lunchtime concert...

Something else to keep the workers out of their cars for lunch.
[]