Blake Ewing asking for "Game-Changing Ideas" to be submitted online

[TulsaGoldenHurriCAN]

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/government/tulsa-city-councilor-wants-economic-development-funding-package-ideas-to/article_2c615023-1f25-5b89-8641-1c7dfe27507e.html

A call for video presentations of projects vying for upward of $300 million in economic development funding went out at a Tulsa City Council meeting Thursday evening.
Councilor Blake Ewing said he wants project ideas within a broad framework of economic development goals to go viral.
"We're asking for ideas that are game-changing ideas," Ewing said. "That doesn't mean that the small, token things aren't wanted or won't be heard. The idea is that everyone gets to have their idea heard."
Councilor Anna America and Ewing have headed a task force that aims to pitch an economic development funding package that would replace half of Vision 2025's expiring 0.6 percent sales tax. The tax is scheduled to end next year.
The funding package is planned to run alongside a separate proposal for the other half of Vision 2025's expiring tax, led by Councilor G.T. Bynum, to add low-water dams along the Arkansas River. City officials hope both funding proposals will go to voters in November.
Much like the original Vision funding package, which paid for projects such as the BOK Arena and the Cox Business Center renovation, Ewing said he hopes project ideas that match the scale of those will come from the community.
But all ideas will be given the same initial treatment, he said.
Although presentations may be submitted online, the task force is planning several meetings in July and August at which residents will be able to pitch their ideas, which will be recorded by City Hall officials and put online, Ewing said.
The priorities for investment, as defined by the city council, are:
Economic development and sales-tax generation
Connectivity and transportation choices
Health, education and safety
There are other "accent" priorities for ideas that Ewing said the task force hopes to include, which are:
Project ideas that will reverse negative trends or support positive trends
Investment in unique and existing Tulsa assets
Community beautification
And any other idea that generates substantial public support
Residents will be able to fill out a form that requires basic information about the proposal and submit videos from YouTube for collection to cityoftulsa.org/vision.
Although the site currently offers only basic information, Ewing said residents will be able to browse the site for all submitted project ideas soon.
"Everything will be YouTube'd ... so that people can easily share them," he said. "The idea is to take the whole conversation viral."
The online campaign is more or less a first for the city and even has a hashtag that city officials are pushing residents to use on sites such as Twitter. It's #VisionTulsa.
"Usually if people come up with an idea, they come to a town hall meeting," Ewing said. "This is a way that we can capture those presentations and have them viewable way past the initial viewing."

[swake]

Partially close streets and run an automated electric trolley in a box along 9th St between Denver and Elgin, down Elgin to John Hope Franklin, across John Hope Franklin back to Denver and Denver back down to 9th. Basically all of downtown would be within 3 blocks of the trolley.

[TeeDub]

They obviously don't have a problem closing major arterials.  They closed riverside for the next year and a half.

[TheArtist]

Someone mentioned that one of the local universities was thinking of adding to a School of architecture program and possibly a home for it.  Does anyone recall what that was specifically?

I would like to put out a proposal for purchasing the Tulsa Club building and making it the new home of the Tulsa Art Deco Museum, possibly TFA and perhaps another organization like that mentioned above.   I think we could create an incredible attraction while showcasing and preserving a piece of our artistic and cultural heritage.

[PonderInc]

This is a terrific idea!  I'm excited!

[rebound]

Someone mentioned that one of the local universities was thinking of adding to a School of architecture program and possibly a home for it.  Does anyone recall what that was specifically?

I would like to put out a proposal for purchasing the Tulsa Club building and making it the new home of the Tulsa Art Deco Museum, possibly TFA and perhaps another organization like that mentioned above.   I think we could create an incredible attraction while showcasing and preserving a piece of our artistic and cultural heritage.

Awesome Idea.  Could we combine the architecture program into the Tulsa Club as well?  Make it kind of a "Tulsiesin"  (A play on Taliesin and Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright's architectural studios. Look it up...) It could focus on defining and promoting a "Tulsa Architecture" style.  I've been to Taliesin West in Phoenix twice, and it is continual tourist draw as well as a working architectural school.  Very cool.   

[SXSW]

Someone mentioned that one of the local universities was thinking of adding to a School of architecture program and possibly a home for it.  Does anyone recall what that was specifically?

I would like to put out a proposal for purchasing the Tulsa Club building and making it the new home of the Tulsa Art Deco Museum, possibly TFA and perhaps another organization like that mentioned above.   I think we could create an incredible attraction while showcasing and preserving a piece of our artistic and cultural heritage.

I would reach out to the OU-Tulsa Urban Design school.  This would be a perfect spot for them to be located. 

[SXSW]

My idea involves two phases: the first phase would develop something similar to Guthrie Green on the parking lot between 2nd and 3rd, Cincinnati and Detroit.  Because of the slope of the site it would make a great location for a water feature in the middle that cascades down, an homage to the old fountains on the 5th Street pedestrian mall.  It would serve as the gateway from downtown into the Blue Dome district and also has one of the best skyline views.  

Something similar to Jameson Park in Portland:


The other piece would be a new science museum that overlooks the park on the south side of 3rd.  Something architecturally significant that caters to both kids and adults and is a major attraction.  

The second phase would include building a new theatre across the street from the PAC and an adjacent Fine Arts High School that would be part of TPS.  An extensive renovation of the PAC would also be part of this phase.  Tulsa has always been a strong center for the performing arts and this would take that to the next level.

[davideinstein]

Soccer stadium and bike lanes. Thanks for listening, Blake!

[Breadburner]

How much use does the Lafortune Park golf course get..........

[Vision 2025]

How much use does the Lafortune Park golf course get..........

According to Tulsa County Parks, the two courses at LaFortune Park combined average is 65,000 rounds per year.

[Breadburner]

According to Tulsa County Parks, the two courses at LaFortune Park combined average is 65,000 rounds per year.

I may be wrong.....But it seems to me the highest and best use for a piece of prime property like that is not a golf course.....And we are talking about game changers here.....So possibly leave the par 3 and driving range and figure out something too do with the rest......

[Conan71]

I may be wrong.....But it seems to me the highest and best use for a piece of prime property like that is not a golf course.....And we are talking about game changers here.....So possibly leave the par 3 and driving range and figure out something too do with the rest......

Outlet mall

[TheArtist]

My "Game Changing" idea would be to have rail transit in Tulsa and TOD (transit oriented development) zoning along with it.

Was in Dallas for Market from Friday - Monday.  While I enjoy some of the places, aka, certain restaurants and shopping, that comes with their larger population I do not enjoy their city.  It's a prime example to show that population and growth do not equal quality of life.  It shows that over time pedestrian friendly urban development will not just magically happen all on it's own with more growth and population density.  

I so want Tulsa to evolve into a "Real" city with an incredible quality of life for those who love and want a real, high quality, Urban lifestyle, and yes also for those who want a real, quality Suburban lifestyle.


Fixed rail with pedestrian friendly, no, pedestrian lively, zoning would be the biggest "Game Changer" for Tulsa.  Setting our growth pattern on a different direction than any other city in the region.  With the great heritage development we already have in place and growing out from that more wonderful urban development, we could once become a shining jewel of a city in the center of the US. That in itself would greatly ramp up our attractiveness and growth potential.  And when that growth came again, it would be quality growth that would create a city more akin to a mini London, NYC, or Paris, not a "nobody walking, everyone driving, sprawling Dallas" type city.

[Breadburner]

Outlet mall

Noooo....Colon.........!!!!!