Downtown Stadium Plan by May 30th

[TheArtist]

I know... they are building it up over the railroad tracks. []

[Renaissance]

Yeah, I gave up with the decoding already.  

It's a good thing that it's going to be in the IDL.  Until I know what a Brady site will look like, I just can't say whether I think it's ideal.  I can tell you this--I'm with the majority of posters as being skeptical of that location until I see more.   The East End site made a lot of sense.  We'll see whether the Brady location does as well.

[MichaelBates]

quote:Originally posted by AVERAGE JOE

Everybody just needs to calm down.

The exact location has not been correctly identified on this thread. The drawing grizz posted is incorrect -- the John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Center is going in that location between Detroit and Elgin, north of Cameron. So everybody is getting all up in arms over misinformation. Take a deep breath.

The biggest advantage to the location that seems to be in play is that it would be connected to the Brady District AND the Blue Dome District AND Greenwood. Within 3-4 blocks you could walk to Caz's OR McNellie's OR Lola's OR Arnie's, etc, etc, etc.

Not only would it provide superior connections to BOTH major downtown entertainment districts, it would be out of the way on nights when there isn't a game. It wouldn't be in the middle of either district, it would be on the edge of both.

Parking would not be a problem. There are hundreds if not thousands of surface and on-street parking spaces within a 3-4 block walk. There would be room to create parking for handicapped patrons, staff, players, media, and VIPs on site. There would also be ample opportunity to create structured parking if that's necessary.

It would also have the advantage of being directly served by light rail (within one block) if and when that comes to fruition. The same stop could serve the ballpark and the Blue Dome District.

It would have a cozy, urban feel right out of the gate. Any associated developments would only add to the already existing urban feel, not create that feeling from scratch.

There would be specific quirks and possible amenities that would make this project unique among minor league ballparks. Most of those are tied directly to the site.

There's another major advantage to this site relating to acquisition costs. That's all I'll say about that.

So everybody -- relax. Put a smile on your face. This will be a good thing.

All that points to the site northeast of Archer and Elgin, which TDA already owns (no acquisition cost) and which would be within easy reach of Greenwood (and OSU-Tulsa's big parking lots), Blue Dome, and Brady. It should also mean no demolition -- except for that forlorn, single-story, windowless building in the middle -- and no street closing. If that's the pick, that's great.

[dsjeffries]

quote:Originally posted by MichaelBates
All that points to the site northeast of Archer and Elgin, which TDA already owns (no acquisition cost) and which would be within easy reach of Greenwood (and OSU-Tulsa's big parking lots), Blue Dome, and Brady. It should also mean no demolition -- except for that forlorn, single-story, windowless building in the middle -- and no street closing. If that's the pick, that's great.

I don't think TDA still owns that site... Was it not sold to the Greenwood Association?

[Kenosha]

quote:Originally posted by MichaelBates[

All that points to the site northeast of Archer and Elgin, which TDA already owns (no acquisition cost) and which would be within easy reach of Greenwood (and OSU-Tulsa's big parking lots), Blue Dome, and Brady. It should also mean no demolition -- except for that forlorn, single-story, windowless building in the middle -- and no street closing. If that's the pick, that's great.

BINGO.

[TheArtist]

Now thaaat area I like.  There are a lot of neat old buildings around that could be turned into something, like around the Spaghetti Warehouse. Some vacant property for new stuff. Not IN the Brady Arts District, but close enough for foot traffic and other synergies. Still close enough to the Blue Dome as well. It would actually help further concentrate things and spur development in one corner of the inner dispersal loop. Is close to rail, other parking and OSU Parking.

Definitely a change for Greenwoods plans though. I could see them as having been either, very against it, or gung ho about the possibility.

[brunoflipper]

that is the spot and it is great...
the hotels and retail/residential development that will come along with it will help to bring greenwood back...

[Rico]

[]

[dsjeffries]

Unless something has happened that you know and I don't, the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce purchased the land and had plans for a $30 million development at the corner of Archer & Elgin.

From another topic,

quote:I'm a bit surprised there hasn't been any buzz about this, perhaps it's too uncertain still? It's fairly large. It's urban. It's local. And it's on the North Side.

A 6 acre development on the corner of Archer and Elgin including "three phases -- 44 brownstone residences, 53,000 square feet of office and retail space with the potential to add more, and an 82-room boutique hotel -- spread over three years." Seems to bring people, retail, and some jobs into the downtown area in a setting exactly like what most around here talk about wanting.

Coupled with continued development in the Pearl, the Blue Dome, and the Brady - not too mention the arena, we have a downtown bracketed by development. Seems like we're trying to start a fire, I hope it catches.

Oh, and lets see, is there some kind of civic memorial or plaza that would compliment a new development in the Greenwood district?

Today's Article
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=20080122_1_A1_hAGre24513

A week ago:
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=20080111_1_A1_hAGre83223

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=20080122_1_A1_hAGre24513

quote:Greenwood Chamber of Commerce's leader has signed off on a land purchase to build a $30 million mixed-use development to anchor the historic district of the city.

"The contract has my name on it now," Reuben Gant, the chamber's president and CEO, said Monday.

Gant is using the chamber's nonprofit entity, the Greenwood Community Development Corp., to buy the six acres at the corner of Archer Street and Elgin Avenue for $1.8 million from the Tulsa Development Authority.

Earlier this month, the authority approved the sale and gave Gant a short window to sign the contract.

The project has three phases -- 44 brownstone residences, 53,000 square feet of office and retail space with the potential to add more, and an 82-room boutique hotel -- spread over three years.

The contract requires a groundbreaking for the first phase within a year.

"But I don't intend for it to take that long," Gant said, adding that he's using the 120-day due diligence period to "get all my financial ducks in a row."


Eventually, he has to take the final design plans for the development back to the authority for approval.

"This is something we've wanted to do for years, and we're going to do it right," Gant said.

"It's going to be great for north Tulsa."

The plan is to name the development Franklin Square in honor of B.C. Franklin, a black lawyer who guided many residents through the aftermath of the 1921 Tulsa Race Riot. Sale of the land has been embroiled in controversy since a request for proposals was issued by the TDA in 2006.

Gant was vocal in his belief that the chamber shouldn't have to compete for the site at all, considering its location adjacent to the historic district.

Gant also argued the authority should be willing to take less money for the land than the fair market value, which was the final sale price.

But TDA leaders maintained that offering the property through a competitive process and at its appraised value was the only fair approach.

Gant's proposal was the only one submitted for the property.

I seriously doubt the ballpark even has the chance of being located there.  Unless, of course, TDA found a new way to screw over our Greenwood residents.

[sgrizzle]

The Greenwood Chamber has a contract but not necessarily the funding. I would think if they were using that land it would be a mutually beneficial deal or as part of a greenwood development. Think "Franklin Park"

[TheArtist]

Think all of that stuff they were originally wanting to develop in Greenwood as part of the ballpark or nearby. They can still get all the development they want, just perhaps not in the same spot. And have a baseball stadium to boot.

If the Greenwood people didnt want this, and it was somehow being "forced" on them... I guarantee you we would have heard it. The city and all the rest, cant make these plans without Greenwood on board and they certainly cant keep it a secret like they have without them at least being interested in negotiations and whats going on.

[brunoflipper]

quote:Originally posted by sgrizzle

The Greenwood Chamber has a contract but not necessarily the funding. I would think if they were using that land it would be a mutually beneficial deal or as part of a greenwood development. Think "Franklin Park"

correct... they had a contract but no money... my understanding is that when he had no funding, rueben wanted TDA to GIVE greenwood chanmber the land...

[sgrizzle]

Here's what greenwood would look like if it was on archer (it could also scoot north about half a block conceivably)

[bacjz00]

quote:Originally posted by sgrizzle

Here's what greenwood would look like if it was on archer (it could also scoot north about half a block conceivably)

I'm sure most are tired of hearing me gripe, so if you're not interested in negative opinions on this deal it's okay to skip this post

If this indeed is the area, I'm still quite disappointed.  The massive Railroad right-of-way and high arching bridges which cross over the railways create a very distinct barrier between this ballpark location and the core of downtown and also the Blue Dome district.  

I'm very much against this.  I'm not saying that develompent can't sprout up around the ballpark, but it certainly can't "spill" over into the Blue Dome to further invigorate that development with the train tracks separating them.  

I would like to see the Blue Dome get more preferrential treatment in this whole thing considering the amount of investment that Tulsa business owners continue to make in that area.  

I just honestly don't see much of a Blue Dome tie-in here with the alleged location.  I can't see hordes of fans making the 2-3 block walk up and over deserted railroad tracks to enjoy live music and a beer after the game.

More later probably...just trying to be objective, so I apologize if I'm coming across TOO negative.  I have a heart for the Blue Dome in case you can't tell

[stymied]

quote:Originally posted by sgrizzle

Here's what greenwood would look like if it was on archer (it could also scoot north about half a block conceivably)

This is looking pretty close to the site drawings I saw.