Arena District - Convention Center Hotel

[Tulsan]

They've lifted the curtain on this thing.  Going out to developers for RFQ soon.  Sounds like they'll use same financing mechanism as OKC for the Omni - big TIF, no voter approval.  I assume this means they have ironed out whatever issues have been slowing down the State Farm building purchase for TPD HQ.

I'm glad to see they're looking to go vertical.  The concept shows 30ish stories, translates to 400'-ish of height.  





https://tulsaworld.com/news/local/business/city-to-solicit-developers-for-downtown-convention-center-headquarters-hotel/article_0a86be62-6561-11ef-aba5-236b46e9a063.html

[SXSW]

Curious what happens to the County Courthouse next door?  I know they have discussed moving it to another location downtown.

[DowntownDan]

Really wish we could get a new federal courthouse somewhere else downtown and build this on that spot next to the BOK Center. Would make far more sense as an entertainment district and for concerts (yes its just a few extra feet but this is Tulsa, people circle the lot at Walmart for a half hour to park 10 feet closer).

[SXSW]

Really wish we could get a new federal courthouse somewhere else downtown and build this on that spot next to the BOK Center. Would make far more sense as an entertainment district and for concerts (yes its just a few extra feet but this is Tulsa, people circle the lot at Walmart for a half hour to park 10 feet closer).

I've said that for years.  There was a TW article in 2018 about the obstacles surrounding that building: https://tulsaworld.com/news/a-big-development-problem-in-the-middle-of-downtown-why-the-federal-building-might-stay/article_a8a0a2fd-1035-5a13-bea3-d0fe3814acf7.html  Basically USPS owns it and would have to find a new location so the city could buy and demolish it.  By the time they do that we may need another hotel in that area.

[DowntownDan]

I've said that for years.  There was a TW article in 2018 about the obstacles surrounding that building: https://tulsaworld.com/news/a-big-development-problem-in-the-middle-of-downtown-why-the-federal-building-might-stay/article_a8a0a2fd-1035-5a13-bea3-d0fe3814acf7.html  Basically USPS owns it and would have to find a new location so the city could buy and demolish it.  By the time they do that we may need another hotel in that area.

Didn't the post office there do a lot of sorting that is now done in OKC?

[Red Arrow]

(yes its just a few extra feet but this is Tulsa, people circle the lot at Walmart for a half hour to park 10 feet closer).

And get their car doors dented.

Not Me!  I just wish they had more of the small shopping carts.  Parking way out gives me the opportunity to view more cart corrals to find a small cart.   

[SXSW]

Didn't the post office there do a lot of sorting that is now done in OKC?

Yes, it's only partially occupied.  Another reason the Post Office should relocate and open this site up for redevelopment.  Hopefully our new mayor will take this up - as horrible as he was Mayor Bartlett was actively working on a plan.  From the TW article:

Under Mayor Dewey Bartlett, the city in 2011 began the process of trying to purchase the Page Belcher building, but the complicated transaction never gained traction.  The plan included having the Tulsa Industrial Authority partner with a private, third-party entity to purchase the building - the estimate then was for $10 million - and lease it back to the federal government over 15 to 18 years.  At the end of the lease, TIA would take take ownership of the building.

[Urban Enthusiast]

I really like the look of that building!  Hopefully, the final product will somewhat resemble that.

[Laramie]

They've lifted the curtain on this thing.  Going out to developers for RFQ soon.  Sounds like they'll use same financing mechanism as OKC for the Omni - big TIF, no voter approval.  I assume this means they have ironed out whatever issues have been slowing down the State Farm building purchase for TPD HQ.

I'm glad to see they're looking to go vertical.  The concept shows 30ish stories, translates to 400'-ish of height. 





https://tulsaworld.com/news/local/business/city-to-solicit-developers-for-downtown-convention-center-headquarters-hotel/article_0a86be62-6561-11ef-aba5-236b46e9a063.html

OMG, This will be awesome and add to the Tulsa skyline.  At 650 rooms it will top the 605 room OKC Omni.  Hope this comes to fruition and they keep the height and design.

Go T-town . . .

[patric]

So the skybridge there is still connected to... the police-courts building (which is supposed to be demolished)?  Is this just an early, early rendering?

[DowntownDan]

So the skybridge there is still connected to... the police-courts building (which is supposed to be demolished)?  Is this just an early, early rendering?

The hotel is sitting on top of where the current police-courts building is located. The skybridge is connected to the Tulsa County Courthouse which probably isn't going anywhere anytime soon. It is kinda odd that it looks to be identical to the existing skybridge between the city and county court buildings. I'm not sure why the hotel would be connected to the courthouse. Maybe there's a parking garage that would be available for the courthouse or maybe they'd market to out of town lawyers or legal conferences with events at the courthouse? Really can't figure out why it's in that drawing.

[Tulsan]

... Tulsa County Courthouse which probably isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

The next Tulsa County tax extension vote will include a proposal to build a new courthouse at 8th and Denver. I don't know what they'll do with the empty old Courts building when that project comes online in early/mid-2030s but maybe there will be a case for an additional hotel or other adaptive reuse that would complement the new main hotel.

[SXSW]

The next Tulsa County tax extension vote will include a proposal to build a new courthouse at 8th and Denver. I don't know what they'll do with the empty old Courts building when that project comes online in early/mid-2030s but maybe there will be a case for an additional hotel or other adaptive reuse that would complement the new main hotel.

The block with Energy One Credit Union?  Good location for the new courthouse.

Honestly multifamily conversion is probably best for the current courthouse, either that or convert it into a new federal building to free up the Page Belcher block for redevelopment. 

[Tulsan]

The block with Energy One Credit Union?  Good location for the new courthouse.

This is from consultants hired by the county to look at options. They want to do the south Denver option. The land is all available.

[SXSW]

I've also heard they are interested in possibly leasing space in the Coterra Energy building.  I guess we'll see.