Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Whole Foods coming to 91st and Yale
So it is now pretty much official that Whole Foods will be building a location on the SW corner of 91st and Yale. There isn't yet much info on this project, but I'll post more when it's available. Anyway, I'm glad to see another quality store, even if it is a chain, being built in Tulsa. Tulsa's retail really seems to be stepping up lately. Let's continue the trend.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Cherry Street Parking "Problem" Solved?
What do you think?
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Tulsa needs bike lanes.
Has anyone else noticed all the cyclists around Tulsa lately? I have, and the number of them is ever increasing. So, with this constantly increasing number of cyclists, and all the road construction going on now, it begs the question, why aren't we installing more bike lanes? Now would have been the perfect time, with all the road construction going on, we could have just added them as we improved the road. I think this is an issue that should be on the agenda of our city leaders. Tulsa is already nationally recognized as a bike friendly city, and this would make us even more so. It would also be great PR for Tulsa, helping us lose our image of being a fat, lazy city.
Tulsa's bike culture is growing, and I can't tell you how proud I am to say that. It's time that we provide more adequate infrastructure for bikes. We've come a long way in recent years, so let's not stop here.
I smell something from down the pike...
...something, a bit fishy.
Okay, so there was this really cool night food market planned for Downtown Oklahoma City, on Friday night. But, after about thirty minutes, the entire thing was shut down. The ABLE commission, as well as some agents, suddenly swept in (about twenty of them) and found "violations." There were three food trucks there, about twenty city workers. Hmmmmm......
This article by Steve Lackmeyer gives some preliminary information, but even he has said that he does not necessarily believe either side's story.
Okay, so there was this really cool night food market planned for Downtown Oklahoma City, on Friday night. But, after about thirty minutes, the entire thing was shut down. The ABLE commission, as well as some agents, suddenly swept in (about twenty of them) and found "violations." There were three food trucks there, about twenty city workers. Hmmmmm......
This article by Steve Lackmeyer gives some preliminary information, but even he has said that he does not necessarily believe either side's story.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Welcome OKC Readers!
First off, I'd like to thank Nick Roberts of A Downtown ontheRange for recognizing me in one of his recent posts. Also, I'd like to welcome any new readers from Oklahoma City. Please check back frequently for news on your sister city and the occasional OKC update.
Friday, August 26, 2011
How can one person make Tulsa more urban?
I'd like to start this off by telling you my BEST (;D) kept secret. I am obsessed with all things urban. Urban cities, urban buildings, urban design, etc. It really kind of scares me. A kid my age, espescially one living in the suburbs, usually could care less about such things. Kids my age care about Facebook, Twitter, texting, and what car they plan on getting. While I do enjoy those things, they're not a driving passion, so to speak, for me. (Don't get me wrong, I have plenty of friends...:D) I have a passion, and it is for urban design. When I get out of college, I plan to buy/rent a loft downtown, and enjoy the hard core urban lifestyle for several years. If Tulsa doesn't have a fully urban and walkable area in about 7-8 years, I will move away for a while. Bottom line, I am going to be one of those young professional urbanites for a while. I will have this experience. If it has to be in another city, then so be it. But, I want it to be in Tulsa.
So, with that said, I would like to try and make a list of things that each of us can do to make Tulsa a more urban city. Some may be easy and quick, and others might require going out of your way a little, but I really want everyone who reads this blog to take them into consideration, and apply them to your daily life whenever you can.
1. Take the bus more often. (if its available to you) Even if it's just once a week, or once a month, ride the bus. Increased ridership numbers will mean increased interest in city leaders to better our public transit. It frustrates me so much to see all these empty busses driving around town. If it's available to you, use it! Even if it's only on occasion.
2. Walk. Walk wherever you can. If it's the restaurant a quarter mile away from your house, walk to it. There is no sense in taking your car a quarter to a half mile when it is not raining, hailing, sleeting, or snowing outside. Increased pedestrians enhance the feel of neighborhoods, and could help get zoning codes changed.
3. Ride your bike. If you have a bike, put it to good use and ride it! This sort of ties in with increased walking, it just gives you longer ranges. Instead of driving your car to go pick up the prescription from CVS, ride your bike. And unless there are bike lanes off the street, ride your bike in the road. This will eventually drive even the most anti-bikes person into advocating for bike lanes. They'll get sick of there being so many slow bikes blocking their Suburban's path.
4. Take advantage of the River Parks trails. We have fantastic trails and parks along the Arkansas River, so it's a no brained to visit them on a regular basis. What you don't use you lose, and we definitely don't want to lose these.
5. This is the last one, and the one that I feel to be the most important. Get involved in your community. Whether it's a neighborhood association, meeting friends for coffee, joining a running or biking club, a book club, a church function, or countless other things, they all help make a city livable. Nothing makes a city more livable than involved, connected citizens.
I hope that we can all put these five suggestions into our lives. Tulsa is a great city, filled with wonderful citizens who are capable of making a difference and changing the city for the better. So I ask you all, what else can we do to make Tulsa a more urban, or an overall better city? I welcome, no, I beg your input to this discussion. Please feel free to voice your opinion by leaving a comment, and by voting in the poll.
So, with that said, I would like to try and make a list of things that each of us can do to make Tulsa a more urban city. Some may be easy and quick, and others might require going out of your way a little, but I really want everyone who reads this blog to take them into consideration, and apply them to your daily life whenever you can.
1. Take the bus more often. (if its available to you) Even if it's just once a week, or once a month, ride the bus. Increased ridership numbers will mean increased interest in city leaders to better our public transit. It frustrates me so much to see all these empty busses driving around town. If it's available to you, use it! Even if it's only on occasion.
2. Walk. Walk wherever you can. If it's the restaurant a quarter mile away from your house, walk to it. There is no sense in taking your car a quarter to a half mile when it is not raining, hailing, sleeting, or snowing outside. Increased pedestrians enhance the feel of neighborhoods, and could help get zoning codes changed.
3. Ride your bike. If you have a bike, put it to good use and ride it! This sort of ties in with increased walking, it just gives you longer ranges. Instead of driving your car to go pick up the prescription from CVS, ride your bike. And unless there are bike lanes off the street, ride your bike in the road. This will eventually drive even the most anti-bikes person into advocating for bike lanes. They'll get sick of there being so many slow bikes blocking their Suburban's path.
4. Take advantage of the River Parks trails. We have fantastic trails and parks along the Arkansas River, so it's a no brained to visit them on a regular basis. What you don't use you lose, and we definitely don't want to lose these.
5. This is the last one, and the one that I feel to be the most important. Get involved in your community. Whether it's a neighborhood association, meeting friends for coffee, joining a running or biking club, a book club, a church function, or countless other things, they all help make a city livable. Nothing makes a city more livable than involved, connected citizens.
I hope that we can all put these five suggestions into our lives. Tulsa is a great city, filled with wonderful citizens who are capable of making a difference and changing the city for the better. So I ask you all, what else can we do to make Tulsa a more urban, or an overall better city? I welcome, no, I beg your input to this discussion. Please feel free to voice your opinion by leaving a comment, and by voting in the poll.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Man vs Food Showcases Tulsa Again
Elite was featured on last night's episode on Man vs Food Nation. A local veteran tried and conquered the 23 puffy taco challenge. I have to say that these episodes have really done a fantastic job at shining a positive light on Tulsa. From the camera angles, to the dialogue, it really makes Tulsa look like a great city to those that don't already know.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Village on Main Finally Being Realized?
After years of anticipation, it appears as though we could finally be seeing the massive mixed use Village on Main project in Jenks progressing. This thing has been "under construction" for years without much happening. But, according to KJRH they should be moving forward with construction of a Green Acres Grocery store as the next phase of the 420,000 square foot development. The developers have also stated that with along with Utica Park Clinic and Green Acres, there are 13 more tenants lined up so far. I am really excited to see this project once completed, and I hope similar concepts can be used throughout the metro.
Google Maps Updates Tulsa Aerials!
Now, this may not sound like exciting news, but I sure think it is, because you can easily see all the new construction downtown. The picture appears to be very recent, showing a topped out Metro at Brady, the First Presbyterian Church construction, The Matthews Warehouse construction, the Brady Park construction, the KOTV construction, and even what appears to be the demolition equipment being moved onto the One Place site. Downtown is becoming more dense by the day!
One Place site
New Parking Garage
A Completed JHF Reconciliation Park
KOTV Site
Brady Park Construction
Matthews Warehouse Construction
Soon to be Fairfield Inn and Brady Flats
Metro at Brady Site
First Presbyterian Church Expansion
Monday, August 15, 2011
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Downtown Update 1
Soon we will be seeing much more housing downtown, 175 units to be exact. This is due in part to the TDA's decision to allocate a total of three million dollars to three projects. These projects are the...
Vandever Building: This is such an exciting project because it is located right in the middle of the CBD, an area severely lacking in housing. It will contain about 40 units and will be located on 5th street between Main and Boston.
YMCA Building: Also, a wonderful project, The YMCA Building loft conversion will place 82 units in the abandoned and boarded structure at 6th and Denver. This project should add some life and vitality to that forgotten little part of d
owntown.
East End: This project has the potential to be very unique. I've been told that this building has 16 foot ceilings, so they will be REAL lofts. I'd like to know a timeline, for all of them really, but espescially this one because I don't know the developer's track record. The other two are being done by the Schneiders, so you can pretty much guarantee that they will be completed. But I've never heard of the developer for these, and that just makes me a little nervous. Most likely though, he will get his project done in a reasonable amount of time, and I'm very glad to see a plan for the East End that does not sound like a
pipe dream.
Moving on, the Metro at Brady Lofts appear to be topped out now, and if they haven't started on the Brick already, I'm sure they will be soon. I can't wait to see that project finished!
One Place has started construction. After "breaking ground" over a month ago, they have finally started demolition, and should begin site work on the building soon. I'm still hesitant to say just how tall the tower will be, since they havent released any new renderings, but last I heard, it was 18 stories at 238 feet tall.
The Downtown First Presbyterian Church expansion appears to be progressing just fine, with a new steeple rising quickly on Boston Avenue, I think it will fit in nicely.
And finally, the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure will be moving back downtown this year. The more people we can get downtown, the better!
This is the first of a series that I hope to update once a month to recap things happening in Downtown Tulsa. If I left out anything, be sure to tell me in the comments section.
ON EDIT: Vandever Building will have 40 units, East End will be located at 4th and Elgin, total number of units will be 175.
Vandever Building: This is such an exciting project because it is located right in the middle of the CBD, an area severely lacking in housing. It will contain about 40 units and will be located on 5th street between Main and Boston.
YMCA Building: Also, a wonderful project, The YMCA Building loft conversion will place 82 units in the abandoned and boarded structure at 6th and Denver. This project should add some life and vitality to that forgotten little part of d
owntown.
East End: This project has the potential to be very unique. I've been told that this building has 16 foot ceilings, so they will be REAL lofts. I'd like to know a timeline, for all of them really, but espescially this one because I don't know the developer's track record. The other two are being done by the Schneiders, so you can pretty much guarantee that they will be completed. But I've never heard of the developer for these, and that just makes me a little nervous. Most likely though, he will get his project done in a reasonable amount of time, and I'm very glad to see a plan for the East End that does not sound like a
pipe dream.
Moving on, the Metro at Brady Lofts appear to be topped out now, and if they haven't started on the Brick already, I'm sure they will be soon. I can't wait to see that project finished!
One Place has started construction. After "breaking ground" over a month ago, they have finally started demolition, and should begin site work on the building soon. I'm still hesitant to say just how tall the tower will be, since they havent released any new renderings, but last I heard, it was 18 stories at 238 feet tall.
The Downtown First Presbyterian Church expansion appears to be progressing just fine, with a new steeple rising quickly on Boston Avenue, I think it will fit in nicely.
And finally, the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure will be moving back downtown this year. The more people we can get downtown, the better!
This is the first of a series that I hope to update once a month to recap things happening in Downtown Tulsa. If I left out anything, be sure to tell me in the comments section.
ON EDIT: Vandever Building will have 40 units, East End will be located at 4th and Elgin, total number of units will be 175.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Downtown Grocery Stores
Two grocery stores have officially been announced now for Downtown Tulsa. They will of Course be Archer Market, a Blake Ewing operation, and Cam's Grocery, run by Daniel Cameron. Archer Market will be located on the first floor of the Detroit Lofts on the NE corner of Archer and Detroit, and Cam's Grocery will be located at 114 S. Detroit.
These announcements are more than just boring news articles to read. They mean something much more significant than that. They are signifying that the continuing change and revitalization of Downtown Tulsa has reached another milestone. A grocery store is really the last piece of the puzzle to make downtown a truly walkable neighborhood.
So will these two new grocery stores spur new development? My answer to that question, is that I honestly don't know. Don't get me wrong, I'm not hating on downtown here or saying that a new grocery store doesn't mean much. What I'm saying is exactly the opposite. There is SO much planned and under construction right now, that I don't know if these grocery stores will make a noticeable impact in the amount of development. Where I think we will see the largest impact is in the perception of downtown. Walking or driving through other citie's downtowns with grocery stores, they just feels so alive, and well, populated. A new grocery store is a sign of popUlation growth, which is exactly what our downtown needs.
I wish the best Of luck to Blake Ewing and Daniel Cameron as they set out on their new entrepreneurial endeavors. Thanks to both of you for all the hard work you have put in to making yours, and many other people's dreams a reality.
These announcements are more than just boring news articles to read. They mean something much more significant than that. They are signifying that the continuing change and revitalization of Downtown Tulsa has reached another milestone. A grocery store is really the last piece of the puzzle to make downtown a truly walkable neighborhood.
So will these two new grocery stores spur new development? My answer to that question, is that I honestly don't know. Don't get me wrong, I'm not hating on downtown here or saying that a new grocery store doesn't mean much. What I'm saying is exactly the opposite. There is SO much planned and under construction right now, that I don't know if these grocery stores will make a noticeable impact in the amount of development. Where I think we will see the largest impact is in the perception of downtown. Walking or driving through other citie's downtowns with grocery stores, they just feels so alive, and well, populated. A new grocery store is a sign of popUlation growth, which is exactly what our downtown needs.
I wish the best Of luck to Blake Ewing and Daniel Cameron as they set out on their new entrepreneurial endeavors. Thanks to both of you for all the hard work you have put in to making yours, and many other people's dreams a reality.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Vacation Picture
This is a picture I took from the balcony of a condo my family rented while vacationing in Pensacola Beach. Gosh, it is so beautiful there, and the weather was perfect. Wait what was that....not looking quite real to ya? Well okay then here's the original, but I like the top one better...
I love photography, so I may post a few pictures of mine on here every now and then. Hope you enjoy!
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Enterprise Building Mixed-Use Development.
So unless the TDA decides to make another one of their famous blunders, we will see the Enterprise Building commencing with renovation soon. The $10.8 million development will include 77 residential units,13,500 square feet of light office space, and about 7,500 square feet of retail. The developers have stated that these rental units will be affordable, which in my opinion, is a huge plus.
This is just the kind of development that Boston Avenue/Deco District is in need of. With the recent flurry of activity there, this will be a major step towards making Boston Avenue a More vibrant 24/7 neighborhood. It will also provide more residents to utilize the park right across the street. As long as these are not insanely overpriced, I see absolutely no reason as to why these would not sell quickly. Just think about it, living in a modern apartment on historic Boston Avenue, right across from the new Centennial Green. You would be close to two new grocery options, thousands of offices, and a growing retail and restaurant market. I cannot wait to see this project happen!
This is just the kind of development that Boston Avenue/Deco District is in need of. With the recent flurry of activity there, this will be a major step towards making Boston Avenue a More vibrant 24/7 neighborhood. It will also provide more residents to utilize the park right across the street. As long as these are not insanely overpriced, I see absolutely no reason as to why these would not sell quickly. Just think about it, living in a modern apartment on historic Boston Avenue, right across from the new Centennial Green. You would be close to two new grocery options, thousands of offices, and a growing retail and restaurant market. I cannot wait to see this project happen!
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