Downtown Stadium Plan by May 30th

[sgrizzle]

I think with the BOK Center they overlooked on opportunity and hopefully they won't overlook it here. Sports Bar & Grill overlooking the event. People would eat there on a weekday just to sit at a table overlooking an empty field for the ambiance.

[PonderInc]

The RR crossings are currently at street level.  This is only a problem when trains are actually going by (which they do quite frequently each day).  You'd have to wait for the train to pass before you walked across. (Cars and some pedestrians will go the extra block and cross over on Detroit.)

Now, imagine if we had commuter rail in Tulsa.  This would be the "Ballpark Stop" with a platform and pedestrian access from both the north and the south.  Train passengers could hop off for either the ballpark or the Blue Dome district...and pedestrians could safely cross over the rails.

That would be ideal.  Are we far-sighted enough to make it happen?  Time will tell.

[TheTed]

quote:Originally posted by sgrizzle

I think with the BOK Center they overlooked on opportunity and hopefully they won't overlook it here. Sports Bar & Grill overlooking the event. People would eat there on a weekday just to sit at a table overlooking an empty field for the ambiance.

That would be awesome. I love eating at the bar and grill in Toledo that overlooks the field.

It's in one of those buildings in right field.

[Gaspar]

quote:Originally posted by AVERAGE JOE

quote:Originally posted by sgrizzle

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 --

I said earlier in the thread I was an idiot and not to agree with me..

It sounds to me like you're talking about putting it in place of the building with the one stop permit center.

You're the furthest thing from an idiot and it's not going on the site of the permit center.

Could put the permit center in the stadium!  I'd like to go get my permits in a baseball stadium! []

[pfox]

quote:Originally posted by sgrizzle

quote:Originally posted by bacjz00



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

The crossing into blue dome (down elgin) is at-grade.

Next argument.

Yep.

[pfox]

quote:Originally posted by bacjz00

quote:Originally posted by cannon_fodder

1. I hope the layout has an aesthetic appeal.  An entrance that is both inviting AND directs traffic flow from the park to entertainment and other places to spend money (BrickTown ballpark did this well).

1.5 Along those same lines, place it within *very* easy access of places for people to spend money.  Some things are likely to pop up, but the entertainment centers of the Blue Dome and Brady are unlikely to shift TO this ball park.  So build it nearby.  I imagine a sports bar, restaurant, or even a hotel could pop up near it to fill in some space - but for gods sake place it where people can spend money.

2.  I hope they orientate the park so the outfield view is attractive.  We have a great skyline,  beautiful hills and terrain, and some ugly warehouses and freeways.  Please don't showcase the latter.

3. Place the park somewhere that visitors and passersby SEE it.  From the freeway, from their hotels, from the entertainment districts... such that even if they are NOT going to a game they can see our fabulous new venue and say "hey, I'll have to catch a game there sometime." Or at least see that Tulsa has things to offer.

4. Don't surround it with a sea of asphalt. It looks horrible, discourages density, is underused, and goes a long way of ruining the "park" feel of a ball park.  If you build it, they will find somewhere to park.  10,000 people or 5,000 cars is not that many parking spaces for any place down town to absorb within a reasonable walking distance.  Provide a drop off zone and close parking for people who need it - but the rest of us lazy bastards can figure it out.

5. Go all out or don't go at all.  It doesn't need to be massive.  It doesn't need to be marbled or gilded.  But add a few features (fountain, kid park, grass areas for blankets, allow picnics) and design it to be interesting.  Why replace an existing functional structure with another bland product?

/my buck-0-five

I couldn't POSSIBLY agree with you more on all points.  #4 and #5 are no small matters.  Tulsa should try to hit a "home run" (sorry)architecturally with this ballpark and create something that is once again iconic.  Something that borderlines on a destination even while baseball isn't being played.   And having an area at the ballpark that is family friendly is very important.

Large parking lots already exist within walking distance of the stadium at OSU Tulsa and in the blue dome....

[T-TownMike]

I have to say I think it is a wonderful location for many reasons. Like was mentioned by some, this location INCLUDES the Blue Dome District, especially if Tulsa really brings light rail to the equation. The drop off point would be right in the middle of the two areas, which should help spur big time growth.

Another reason I like the location is because it helps revitalize another district in downtown, which is still close to the other areas that are primed for growth.

Greenwood itself is a historic district and to bring the masses to a place with historical value could really help elevate musuems, restaurants, hotels, etc...It's also the gateway to the North and should be considered a Tulsa Gem. The location ties in the other areas helping spur growth for all districts, IMO.


I believe the  location could allow OSU to play some games there and help bring in additional revenue to the area.

I also think the view could be stellar-access seems good, especially if light rail takes place. I can't wait to see the plans on this.

[joiei]

Something that no one has mentioned yet, the Mathews building, which will be a Museum when that project is finished will also be in walking distance.  

As for the tracks, personally, I think people are making too big of a deal over it.  There is a bridge a block away if you are in such dire need of alcohol after a ball game.  

Between the two likely locations, I prefer the Brady district one.    

And for the style of architecture, Tulsa has such a wealth of Art Deco to draw from to make this park stand out in the crowd of ballparks. Pay homeage to what we already have.  I am sure there are plenty of local architects who would be able to understand and work with this idea of design for the park.

[bacjz00]

Went to McNellie's last night...

It's just a hop and a skip over to this proposed site...I'm willing to admit that I probably made too big of a deal about the railroad tracks.  If we could incorporate a light rail-stop at Elgin, folks would be getting dropped right into the middle of the Ballpark area and QUITE close to Blue Dome.

Now, I'll also go on record as saying that light-rail isn't coming to Tulsa anytime in the next 10 years.

[USRufnex]

quote:Originally posted by brunoflipper

it is not replacing the grenwood plan... the greenwood plan was unfunded, pie-in-the-sky... that is why rueben wanted tda to give them that parcel for free... greenwood chamber does not have the money to acquire even the land, let alone build the development... it was all talk... there is no greenwood development...

Ding ding ding... we have a winner.

[cannon_fodder]

What is the "this is it really really" revised plan date?

[sgrizzle]

By July 15th.

[USRufnex]

quote:Originally posted by cannon_fodder

What is the "this is it really really" revised plan date?

There will be a really really important announcement every 60 - 90 days until KT wins re-election.

[TURobY]

quote:Originally posted by USRufnex

There will be a really really important announcement every 60 - 90 days until KT wins re-election.

Well, she's got my vote. []

[stymied]

East Brady/Greenwood site done deal as of this evening.  Too many people trying to get rich on the other site.  Too bad for them.  Good for Tulsa.  Onward and upward from here.  Anyone else see the renderings?